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A Difference of Opinion
£12.99
A Difference of Opinion—My Political Journey
Jim Sillars on a lifetime of conviction politics, from Labour to the SNP and beyond
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About the Ebook
Jim Sillars, among the last of his generation's working-class politicians, has had a prominent role in Scottish public life for more than six decades, during which he moved from being a Unionist Labour MP to becoming deputy leader of the SNP and now a sharp critic of the party's cult of personality.
In this candid memoir, he records a controversial political life from local councillor to Westminster MP, during which he had dealings with many prominent politicians of the day. But he also reflects on what moulded him in his early years, the added influences of his service in the Royal Navy, his time in Hong Kong, his trade union activity and his non-political business engagements in the Middle East and Asia.
Bringing the book up to date to address contemporary issues, he offers views on Brexit, Russia, the Middle East, climate change, the Alex Salmond trial and the consequences of the 2021 Holyrood election.
He and Margo MacDonald, to whom he was married for thirty-three years, were a formidable political partnership until her death in 2014. He pays a heartfelt tribute to her in this book.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Discover the inside story of Scotland's independence movement
- Experience politics from a man never afraid to break ranks
- Explore decades of Scottish political history from a unique vantage point
- Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher
Reviews
'His take on independence remains original and unique — told with real insight from a man with a ringside seat' Bernard Ponsonby, Special Correspondent, STV
'Required reading for anyone who wants to understand the strange death of Labour in Scotland' Michael Forsyth, Secretary of State for Scotland 1995–97
'An unusually interesting book about Scottish politics, with wider perspectives — offers a basis for civilised, rational debate on Scotland's constitutional future' Stornoway Gazette
'A man of outstanding ability — a profound and original thinker' Daily Mail
About the Author
Jim Sillars was born and brought up in Ayr. After a succession of early jobs, he joined the Royal Navy and was drafted to Hong Kong. Leaving the Navy he went into the Fire Brigade, becoming active in trade unionism and the Labour Party. Following years serving as a Labour MP in Westminster he split with Labour Party and formed the Scottish Labour Party before joining the SNP. He was elected the SNP MP for Govan in 1988. In his later career he became Assistant to the Secretary General of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and also served six years on the board of Scottish Enterprise. He lives in Edinburgh.Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Publication Date: 02 September 2021
Print Length: 328 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9781788853033
Format: Ebook
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