'In this significant book, two scholars with a deep understanding of the Labour Party have explored the "myth" of "Labour Scotland". By "myth" the authors capture the very real strength of Labour in Scotland but also the equally important existence of a widespread belief in Labour's dominance. This is not only the most up-to-date book on Labour in Scotland but the most comprehensive analysis of the party. It is required reading for anyone seeking to understand modern Scottish politics.' James Mitchell, School of Government & Public Policy, University of Strathclyde The first major study of the Scottish Labour Party The Scottish Labour Party is in an unprecedented position. Having been the leading party in Scotland for 50 years, it lost an election and office to the SNP in 2007, and slipped further in the polls in 2011. This book gives a detailed account of the last 30 years of Scottish Labour, from the arrival of Thatcherism in 1979 to the aftermath of the party's crushing defeat in the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections. It asks fundamental questions about the nature of Scottish Labour and its dominance of Scottish politics, and examines the future of Scottish politics and the nature of British Labour and Britain itself. Drawing on extensive research including archival sources and over 70 interviews with key participants in Scottish Labour, this path-breaking book substantially enlarges our understanding of one of Scotland's major parties, and of Scottish politics. Key Features - Investigates Scottish Labour's ideology, culture, organisation, membership and power structures - Charts the sometimes tense relationship and faultlines between Scottish and British Labour - Chronicles the evolution of policy in key areas: healthcare, education and long-term care for the elderly Gerry Hassan is one of Scotland's foremost political commentators and writers, regularly appearing in the Scottish, British and international media. He is the author and editor of over a dozen books on Scottish and British politics, including The Modern SNP (Edinburgh University Press, 2009). Eric Shaw is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Stirling and a highly regarded expert on the Labour Party. He is author of four books on the Labour Party, including Losing Labour's Soul? (2007). Cover image: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Jack McConnell, April 2007 (c) Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images. Cover design: Barrie Tullett

1. Introduction: The Strange Death of Labour Scotland; 2. Was There A 'Labour Scotland'?; 3. The Distinctiveness of Scottish Labour?; 4. The Challenge of Thatcherism; 5. The Internal Politics of Scottish Labour and the Emergence of New Labour; 6. Labour and the Establishment of the Scottish Parliament; 7. Scottish Labour: The Party on the Ground; 8. Labour and the Scottish Electorate; 9. The Shock of the New: The SNP Wins Office; 10. Conclusion: The Paradoxes of Scottish Labour and its Future.