Road to Referendum

In part one of a brand new three-part series, Iain Macwhirter examines the social, cultural and political changes that have taken Scotland from being at the heart of the union in 1945 to today, preparing for a referendum on independence. Elaine C Smith, Donald Findlay QC, George Galloway MP, Jim Sillars, Margo MacDonald MSP, actor Bill Paterson, Tam Dalyell and author William McIlvanney are some of those who recall the huge upheaval that Scotland underwent in the 50s and 60s.

In part two of the series, Iain Macwhirter examines the No vote of the first devolution referendum, the rise of Thatcherism, the miners' strike, the Poll Tax and the emergence of Scottish pop music as a form of resistance in the 1980s. Author Christopher Brookmyre, musician Pat Kane, actor Elaine C Smith, First Minister Alex Salmond, George Galloway MP, writer and broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove and Tommy Sheridan are among those recalling this turbulent time.

In the last of the series, Iain Macwhirter examines the decline of the Conservatives in Scotland and the rise of Tony Blair's New Labour which led to the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. With an SNP majority government now in control of that parliament and the referendum date fixed for September next year, First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron put their respective cases for independence and the union. They are joined on either side of the argument by musician Pat Kane, authors Ian Banks and Christopher Brookmyre, writer and broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove and former Lord Provost of Glasgow Michael Kelly.