The Question of Scotland: Devolution and After

by Tam Dalyell

In September 2014, with the Scottish independence referendum, the United Kingdom came close to being broken apart after three
centuries as one of the most successful political unions in history. Yet despite a conclusive No vote, the SNP took almost every seat in
Scotland at the 2015 general election. In this book Tam Dalyell offers a personal reflection on why the UK is on the brink of the most
serious constitutional crisis in its history. But this is not just a history of why we have ended up where we are. Dalyell also offers sage
advice and suggests ways forward which will inform debate as the UK moves into a new political era.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Sir Thomas Dalyell, 11th Baronet, FRSGS, known as Tam Dalyell, was a Scottish Labour Party politician who was a member of the House of Commons from 1962 to 2005. He represented West Lothian from 1962 to 1983, then Linlithgow from 1983 to 2005. He is particularly well known for his formulation of what came to be known as the "West Lothian question", on whether non-English MPs should be able to vote upon English-only matters after political devolution. He was also known for his anti-war, anti-imperialist views, opposing the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.

Reviews

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast moving, autobiographical story, on the question of devolution in Scotland. Although Tam's opinion on the matter is famously clear, the personal anecdotes makes for an enjoyable read.


"By ancestry, by conviction, by emotion and by the practical and economic realities of the 21st century, I am a 'Man of the Union'".

It is clear that the Union is more than soley gut emotion for Tam and his reflections particularly in Chapter 16 were stiring.


It is however staggering that there is zero mention of Northern Ireland throughout this study.

Northern Ireland was the first region of the United Kingdom to receive a devolved assembly in 1921 and there is a lively debate surrounding the question of increasing similarities between politics in Northern Ireland and Scotland - a focus on the constitutional question dividing on religious lines.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, very autobiographical but allowing a window into the historical Labourite political process over the years given the author's 4 decades at Westminster. Definitely mass-market and not helpful academically/theoretically