Originally published in 1978, but now re-issued with a new Preface by James Mitchell, this volume traces the rise of the SNP, with special emphasis on explaining the increase of the National Party vote in Scotland from the early 1960s to the late 1970s. The book draws much of its information from interviews with members and ex-members of the SNP, including some who helped to found the party in 1928. In describing the movement and giving an account of its main features, the author begins with a discussion of various aspects of Scottish society which have contributed to the growth of nationalism. These include the political developments of the Labour movement, the economic history of 20th Century Scotland the development of youth culture and in particular, the interest in folk music, as well as developments in the Church, the army, and the press.

Originally published in 1978, but now re-issued with a new Preface by James Mitchell, this volume traces the rise of the SNP, with special emphasis on explaining the increase of the National Party vote in Scotland from the early 1960s to the late 1970s. The book draws much of its information from interviews with members and ex-members of the SNP, including some who helped to found the party in 1928. In describing the movement and giving an account of its main features, the author begins with a discussion of various aspects of Scottish society which have contributed to the growth of nationalism. These include the political developments of the Labour movement, the economic history of 20th Century Scotland the development of youth culture and in particular, the interest in folk music, as well as developments in the Church, the army, and the press.

Scotland has a parliament for the first time in almost 300 years, and this book is an account of how this came about. The authors trace the origins and history of the demand for home rule in Scotland, focusing particularly on developments following the failure of the first referendum on the issue in 1979, which culminated in a second referendum in September 1997.
This major political event attracted national and international interest, and its decisive result was a milestone in Scottish history. This work presents an analysis of the referendum campaign at both national and local levels, including media coverage of the event and the outcome. The reactions of voters are explored on the basis of a large survey of the electorate, and lessons to be learnt about referendums in the UK and elsewhere are discussed.

Scotland has a parliament for the first time in almost 300 years, and this book is an account of how this came about. The authors trace the origins and history of the demand for home rule in Scotland, focusing particularly on developments following the failure of the first referendum on the issue in 1979, which culminated in a second referendum in September 1997.
This major political event attracted national and international interest, and its decisive result was a milestone in Scottish history. This work presents an analysis of the referendum campaign at both national and local levels, including media coverage of the event and the outcome. The reactions of voters are explored on the basis of a large survey of the electorate, and lessons to be learnt about referendums in the UK and elsewhere are discussed.

Based on the research of a small advisory group formed of key figures in the Scottish Parliament, Jim Johnston and James Mitchell use their extensive experience of Scottish politics to discuss ideas about the Parliament's future. Sir Paul Grice, Holyrood chief executive, is chairing the advisory group which includes members such as former PO George Reid, Caroline Gardner (Auditor General), Louise MacDonald (chief exec Young Scot), and Sarah Davidson (civil servant). Made up of a series of short essays, this book discusses vital issues such as public engagement, key challenges for the Parliament arising from issues such as Brexit, and what we can learn from the past. This book is truly essential read in this uncertain but exciting time for Scottish politics.

‘Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.’ - Hamilton, Scotland, 3 November 1967 A young couple, married only one day, join a group of eager SNP supporters in the early morning of the by-election to gather last minute votes around Hamilton. Journalists scrap pre-recorded interview answers in the middle of the night as they do not adequately convey the political event that would transform Scottish politics thereafter. Instead, a 17-year-old is sent out to collect responses that better capture the tremendous political upset that has just occurred. ‘Winnie Wins by a Mile!’ was splashed across the Hamilton Advertiser’s front page. This book details the political history and moments leading up to the election of the SNP’s Winnie Ewing and the profound effect her success has had on the political landscape of Scotland and the UK since. Professor James Mitchell of the University of Edinburgh provides an insightful examination of the different factors that contributed to Ewing and the SNP’s 1967 success. Through interviews with and surveys of SNP members, archival research and trawling through contemporary sources, Mitchell presents a multi-layered understanding of this crucial turning point in Scottish politics. This watershed by-election was transformative for the SNP and for Scotland. In the increasingly turbulent waters of contemporary politics, Hamilton 1967 provides a necessary historical context to assist in one’s navigation of the political landscape today.

The organ is one of the oldest instruments in Western music, and its sound has inspired many of the greatest composers from the past half a millennium from Bach through to Messiaen. The full possibilities of the instrument, however, have often been overlooked. Orchestration textbooks tend to mention the organ only in passing, with little practical advice for the composer to latch onto. Many organ books will explain technical jargon and how the organ is designed, but do not discuss what should actually be written in the score. This book, on the other hand, offers a practical guide for composers on how to write idiomatically for the instrument with the aim of helping them exploit the instrument's full timbral and technical potential. It provides in depth advice not only on notation but also the full resources of the modern organ, including dedicated chapters on registration, writing for manuals and pedals, and using the organ in ensembles, among others. Multiple musical examples are quoted from across the history of organ repertoire, with a particular focus on contemporary composers and music. There is advice tailored to non-classical musicians, such as guidance on virtual instruments. The online companion website to this book provides video demonstrations, chapter summaries, sample organ stop-lists and other useful further resources. In summary, the goal of this book is to show not just what organ music was, or what it is, but what it can be.

By any measure, the story of the Scottish National Party is an extraordinary one.Forced to endure decades of electoral irrelevance since its creation in the 1930s, during which it often found itself grappling with internal debate on strategy, and rebellion from within its own ranks, the SNP virtually swept the board in the 2015 general election, winning all but three of Scotland's fifty-nine seats in Westminster. What's more, under the current leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP has never been a more important force in the landscape of British politics.The leaders who have stood at its helm during this tumultuous eighty-year history - from Sir Alexander MacEwen to Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond - have steered the SNP vessel with varying degrees of success, but there is no doubt that all have contributed to the shape, purpose and ultimate goal of the party of government we see today.The latest addition to the acclaimed British Political Leaders series, Scottish National Party Leaders examines each of these senior figures for the first time, and is essential reading for anyone curious about how this former fringe party evolved into a political phenomenon, changing not only the face of Scottish politics, but British politics as well.

In May 1999 the Scottish Parliament opened with high expectations. The decade since has seen a transformation in Scottish politics. As the Parliament's 10th anniversary approaches, now is the perfect time to reflect on its role in the Scottish and wider UK political process. What have been the challenges and its achievements? Have expectations been met? The Scottish Parliament's four Founding Principles - access and participation, equal opportunities, accountability and power sharing - aimed to establish a body answerable to the people of Scotland. This project, run by the Hansard Society, will bring together a group of varied and distinguished commentators to discuss some of the key issues in the development of the Scottish Parliament over the past decade. They will explore whether initial expectations have been met and analyse how the Parliament has evolved at the core of a new Scottish political process.

Adapted from series creator James Mitchell's Sunday Express Short Stories by his son Peter Mitchell, four new adventures expand the themes explored in the television show. David Callan works for The Section, a top-secret counter-espionage organisation. He's a killer, a trained assassin, and the best at what he does. But that doesn't mean he has to like it. With the aid of the burglar Lonely; fellow operative Meres; and Section secretary Liz, Callan fulfils the orders of departmental head Hunter and finds himself in very murky waters. Murder, betrayal, and model soldiers. It's all in a day's work for Callan. 2.1 File on a Difficult Don. The cap and gown meet the gun and bullet when Callan visits the Dreaming Spires to protect a codebreaker. 2.2 File on a Mourning Mother. Callan and Meres are investigating the mysterious death of a scientist at a top secret research centre when they discover, Hell hath no fury... 2.3 File on an Elusive Engineer. Callan and Meres are sent to protect a British engineer from an assassination attempt and then find themselves all at sea. 2.4 File on an Angry American. The CIA plans to execute a double agent on British soil and Callan is sent to make sure the target's wife doesn't get caught in the cross-fire. CAST: Ben Miles (Callan), Frank Skinner (Lonely) Nicholas Briggs (Hunter), Jane Slavin (Liz), Nicholas Day (Odgers), Jason Nwoga (Routledge/Stone), Imogen Church (Conchita), Michael Jibson (Earl of Burgos/Rod Mercer), Emily Raymond (Diana Browne), Tam Williams (Toby Meres), Mark Elstob (Judd/Jorge/Armstrong), Lara Lemon (Miss Townley), Jamie Parker (Peter Carteret/Mackley), Jade Anouka (Angela Wain), Beth Chalmers (Mrs Ventris).

Full-cast adaptations of Callan stories originally published in the Sunday Express. Adapted from series creator James Mitchell's Sunday Express Short Stories by his son Peter Mitchell, four new adventures will expand the themes explored in the television show. Murder, betrayal and model soldiers. It's all in a day's work for Callan. 1.1 File on a Deadly Deadshot by James Mitchell (adapted by Peter Mitchell). With Lonely posing as his gentleman's gentleman, the section's top operative David Callan is sent to a country estate in Northumberland to infiltrate a rich men's shooting party. One of his companions is an assassin but which one? High living and high stakes on the grouse moors as Callan attempts to work out which of the dead-shots is a man-hunter.1.2 File on a Classy Club by James Mitchell. (adapted by Peter Mitchell). Callan finds the odds are stacked against him when he poses as a high roller at London's top casino. His mission is to lose all his money but he almost loses his life when he stumbles into an East German spy cell. Perhaps a card sharp from Lonely's past can help Callan turn the tables. 1.3 File on an Awesome Amateur by James Mitchell (adapted by Peter Mitchell). Callan and Meres are despatched to a cultural festival in Venice to snatch a Russian poet from under the noses of the KGB. But the success of the mission depends upon the expertise of amateur sleuth and keen ornithologist Cynthia Widgery. Feathers fly on the Grand Canal... 1.4 File on a Harassed Hunter by James Mitchell (adapted by Peter Mitchell). Callan is drawn into a dark secret when Hunter invites him to fly to Newcastle for a trip to the theatre. The plot thickens when an alcoholic actor and a decoy called Prenderghast lead Callan to one of the KGB's most proficient killers. The setting for the denouement is far too close for comfort.The classic television series from the Sixties returns with a star-studded cast, in brand new audio adaptations from Big Finish Productions. Originally broadcast in 1967,Callan took the burgeoning world of spy drama, and brought a much darker tone to the genre. Having similar responsibilities to MI5, Callan used the most ruthless and lethal techniques to get the job done, each method meticulously filed by `The Section' (the organisation behind operative Callan), colour coding each lethal tactic. Four series of the original television series were produced between 1967 and 1972, plus a cinema film released in 1974 and a TV comeback in 1981. And now, Callan is set to return on audio at Big Finish adapted from series creator James Mitchell's Telegraph Short Stories by his son Peter Mitchell. CAST: Ben Miles (Callan), Frank Skinner (Lonely), Nicholas Briggs (Hunter), Jane Slavin (Liz), David Rintoul (Baumer), Justin Avoth (Endicott), Glen McReady (Minns), Louis Tamone (Lorimer / Waiter), Tam Williams (Toby Meres), Mark Elstob (Karl / Judd / Willis), Robert Portal (Bulky Berkeley / Lubov), Annabelle Dowler (Amparo Soller / Barbara Jackson), Gyuri Sarossy (Marty Rivers), Beth Goddard (Cynthia Widgery / Auntie Gertie / Adrienn),Teddy Kempner (Evan Lang / Joe 'Plastic' MacNamara), Leighton Pugh (Petrov).

Based on the research of a small advisory group formed of key figures in the Scottish Parliament, Jim Johnston and James Mitchell use their extensive experience of Scottish politics to discuss ideas about the Parliament's future. Sir Paul Grice, Holyrood chief executive, is chairing the advisory group which includes members such as former PO George Reid, Caroline Gardner (Auditor General), Louise MacDonald (chief exec Young Scot), and Sarah Davidson (civil servant). Made up of a series of short essays, this book discusses vital issues such as public engagement, key challenges for the Parliament arising from issues such as Brexit, and what we can learn from the past. This book is truly essential read in this uncertain but exciting time for Scottish politics.

From the American and British counter-insurgency in Iraq to the bombing of Dresden and the Amristar Massacre in India, civilians are often abused and killed when they are caught in the cross-fire of wars and other conflicts. In Democracy’s Blameless Leaders, Neil Mitchell examines how leaders in democracies manage the blame for the abuse and the killing of civilians, arguing that politicians are likely to react in a self-interested and opportunistic way and seek to deny and evade accountability. Using empirical evidence from well-known cases of abuse and atrocity committed by the security forces of established, liberal democracies, Mitchell shows that self-interested political leaders will attempt to evade accountability for abuse and atrocity, using a range of well-known techniques including denial, delay, diversion, and delegation to pass blame for abuse and atrocities to the lowest plausible level. Mitchell argues that, despite the conventional wisdom that accountability is a ‘central feature’ of democracies, it is only a rare and courageous leader who acts differently, exposing the limits of accountability in democratic societies. As democracies remain embroiled in armed conflicts, and continue to try to come to grips with past atrocities, Democracy’s Blameless Leaders provides a timely analysis of why these events occur, why leaders behave as they do, and how a more accountable system might be developed.