Steven, Martin (2008) Secessionist Politics and Religious Conservatism: The Scottish National Party and Faith-Based Interests. Politics, 28 (3). pp. 188-196. ISSN 0263-3957
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The Scottish National party's 2007 devolved election campaign was endorsed by two prominent ‘conservative’ Christians – Brian Souter, one of Scotland's richest men, and Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Scottish Catholic Church. The article offers two explanations for this, both linked to the improved opportunity structure created by devolution: first, the Scottish Labour party lost the trust of these faith-based interests over the ‘Section 28’ episode, a significant factor due to the more competitive devolved party system; second, there is evidence to suggest that these faith-based interests believe an independent Scotland would create improved opportunities for influencing social policy.