The Industrial Politics of Devolution

"This book examines devolution, explaining this central phenomenon in Scottish and British political life since the 1960s in terms of economic developments and industrial struggles." "The book's emphasis on popular pressures 'from below', and business and trade union activism, distinguishes it from standard accounts of devolution that privilege high politics and personalities. It is based on unpublished government, business and trade union records unused by previous authors." "The book shows how devolution was shaped by key episodes in industrial politics, notably car manufacturing at Linwood, unofficial strikes and the struggles over industrial relations reform, the grand Oceanspan design for industrial and social regeneration, the famous UCS work-in, the miners' battles with the Heath government and the impact of North Sea Oil. The book challenges received wisdoms about the 1979 devolution referendum, and places the devolutionary politics of the 1980s and 1990s in this longer, industrial perspective."--book jacket.