The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum

The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum

by David Torrance (Author)

Synopsis

A 300-year-old union. A comprehensive debate. A historic decision. On 18 September 2014, Scots will decide their future: should the country quit the United Kingdom and take control of its own destiny, or should it remain part of what advocates call the most successful political and economic union of modern times? Everyone in the country has a stake in this decision. Now, in this fascinating and insightful new book, David Torrance charts the countdown to the big day, weaving his way through a minefield of claim and counterclaim, and knocking down fictions and fallacies from both Nationalists and Unionists. He plunges into the key questions that have shaped an often-fraught argument, from the future of the pound to the shape of an independent Scottish army. With access to the strategists and opinion-makers on both sides of the political divide, this book goes straight to the heart of the great debate, providing an incisive, authoritative, occasionally trenchant guide to the most dramatic constitutional question of our times - the battle for Britain.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Published: 12 Nov 2013

ISBN 10: 1849545944
ISBN 13: 9781849545945

Media Reviews
'Wise, balanced, witty and, above all, well informed. A political must-read.' Martin Kettle, The Guardian Very few other contemporary writers have David Torrance's insight and breadth of knowledge, from Chris Hoy to Eric Hobsbawm. It is truly a tour de force. Matt Qvortrup, Scotland on Sunday In his latest book, David Torrance offers an insider's account of the fight for Scottish independence. With access to the strategists and opinion-makers on both sides of the political divide, The Battle for Britain goes straight to the heart of the great debate, providing an incisive, authoritative and occasionally trenchant guide to the most dramatic constitutional question of our times. Politicos.co.uk A piece of in-depth reporting as lucid and objective across a murky and contested terrain as you could wish for... [Torrance] is respectful of the facts and the positions taken by the Nationalists - yet the clarity of his analysis tends to underscore the dilemmas they face. FT, John Lloyd Torrance's work is an invaluable guide to the battle for Scotland. He is admirably even-handed in his analysis of a deeply polarised and tribal debate... The book is packed with brilliant anecdotes... It is clear [Torrance] has levels of access to opinion formers and the people who were in the room when the big decisions were taken that other journalists would kill for...The Battle for Britain is a must-read for every Westminster dweller. The House Magazine This lively, perspicacious account of the historic vote deserves a wide audience. Brimming with historical antecedents and insightful analysis, and written with an easy style and no little wit, The Battle for Britain is likely to be required reading long after the ballots have been counted in September. Peter Geoghegan Brimming with historical antecedents and insightful analysis [...] likely to be required reading long after the ballots have been counted in September. Sunday Business Post [David Torrance] manages to do something that has become almost impossible - he maintains an impartial tone. Andrew Marr, New Statesman Important and authoritative, this book will help future generations explain this generations decisions. New Statesman
Author Bio
david torrance is an author and journalist whose work appears regularly in The Herald, The Times and The Scotsman. His books include David Steel: Rising Hope to Elder Statesman and Noel Skelton and the Propertyowning Democracy.