'The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum' - 7th February

Published On Fri 31 Jan 2014 by Grant Hill

Both sides in the independence referendum will be challenged at a University of Dundee event next week aiming to clarify the claims and counterclaims that have so far dominated the debate.

David Torrance, Associate Director of the University's 5 Million Questions initiative and author of book 'The Battle for Britain - Scotland and the Independence Referendum', will count down to the big day by analysing the arguments made by the 'yes' and 'no' camps at a public lecture at the Dalhousie Building on Friday, 7th February.

With access to the strategists and opinion-makers on both sides of the political divide, his book goes straight to the heart of the great debate, providing an incisive, authoritative, occasionally trenchant guide to the most dramatic constitutional question of our times - the battle for Britain. Referencing this text and examining the very latest developments, Torrance's talk will plunge into the key questions that have shaped an often-fraught argument.

'Although a lot of books have been published in relation to the independence referendum, I still felt there was still a need for a single volume covering both the historic background and contemporary debate in the run up to referendum day in September,' he said.

'I also thought it was important to place the debate in a UK-wide and international context, as a lot of those - on both sides - are prone to behave as if the current argument is unique. In politics, there is usually nothing new under the sun, and although many aspects of the Scottish debate are distinctive, it also has echoes of similar discussions, not only internationally but also within the UK itself.

'I tried very hard to be balanced in the book, not an easy task given the strong views held on both sides. My approach also sits well with the aim of the Five Million Questions project to foster good-natured debate about the pros and cons of independence without getting bogged down in partisan mud-slinging."

The University launched the 5 Million Questions project to examine the issues surrounding the biggest event in Scotland for over 300 years. Every aspect of Scottish life stands to be impacted upon by the result of September's referendum, and everyone has a question about how the decision will affect them and the future of the country.

The public debate to this stage has been both highly technical and overtly party political. 5 Million Questions aims to stimulate wider debate, apply academic rigour to examination of the issues, and engage with the public on all aspects of the major questions they are facing.

'The Battle for Britain: Scotland and the Independence Referendum' takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, at 6pm on Friday, 7th February. The event is open to all members of the public and free tickets can be obtained by visiting www.fivemillionquestions.org/events/ or calling 01382 381296. This event also includes book signing and drinks reception.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277