Scottish Political Landscape: SNP and Unionism

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the Scottish National Party (SNP), unionism, and the political landscape in Scotland as presented in the lecture notes.

SNP

Scottish National Party, founded in 1934 as a merger of two parties, which campaigned for Scottish independence.

Devolution

The transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, particularly significant during the late 20th century.

Euro-sceptic

Opposition to the European Union or European integration, especially prominent in the SNP during the 1970s.

Incrementalism

A policy approach involving gradual changes rather than abrupt shifts, notably dominant in the SNP's strategy since the 1990s.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can result in the adoption of a new law.

Independence in Europe

The SNP's strategy in the late 1980s advocating for Scottish independence within the framework of the European Union.

Unionism

The political ideology advocating for the sovereignty and unity of the United Kingdom, particularly in opposition to Scottish independence.

Better Together

The campaign that advocated for Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom during the 2014 independence referendum.

Labour Scotland

The historical belief that the Labour Party represented the interests of most Scots, especially during its dominant years from 1959 to 2007.

Scottish Labour Party

The Scottish branch of the Labour Party, which has its roots in Scotland's trade union movement and underwent significant changes post-devolution.

Civic nationalism

A form of nationalism based on shared values and citizenship rather than ethnicity, emphasized by the SNP under Salmond.

Devo-pragmatist

A section within the Scottish Conservatives that acknowledges the existence of the Scottish Parliament and seeks practical accommodations.

Radical Reformers

Members of the Scottish Conservatives who advocate for a federal British constitution, diverging from the party's mainstream ideology.

Calman Commission

A commission established to review the powers of devolved government in Scotland, leading to expanded devolution after the 2007 Scottish election.

Banal unionism

A form of unionism that was so commonplace and accepted that it went largely unquestioned, prevalent until the 1960s.

Post-devolution

The political environment and actions that followed the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Unionist ideology

The set of beliefs and principles supporting the political union of Scotland and the UK, often emphasizing social and cultural aspects.

Membership boom

The significant increase in SNP membership from 25,000 to 125,000 following the 2014 independence referendum.

Scottish Constitutional Convention

An assembly that aimed to negotiate a new constitutional settlement for Scotland, leading to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

Tsunami

A term describing the SNP’s electoral success in the 2015 general election, where it won 56 out of 59 Scottish seats in Westminster.