Book Review: Project Fear by Joe Pike

As the clock struck 10 p.m. on Thursday 18 September 2014, polling stations across Scotland closed, signalling the end of two and a half bruising years of debate for the Yes and No campaigns. Dubbed ‘Project Fear’, the unique Better Together alliance was relieved as victory was secured and a weary and dejected Alex Salmond tendered his resignation. But the relief proved to be premature.

Despite the defeat, the Scottish National Party grew in strength and gained unprecedented momentum, transforming its referendum failure into stunning general election success. The SNP went on to dominate the polls in Scotland, and the party ’s tsunami surge of support created a dynamic new force in Westminster.

Now, Joe Pike delves deep into the nail-biting back-room operations of the referendum’s No campaign, examining the striking shift in Scottish political attitudes and its effect on the most unpredictable election in a generation. Based on over fifty private interviews with those at the heart of the action, this exclusive account explores what really went on behind closed doors as Better Together kept a kingdom united, but left a country divided.

My Review: 

One thing I enjoy in political books is a true behind the scenes look at a campaign or government, where you really get to see the bitching, backstabbing, disunity and chaos. This book provides exactly that and more, looking at the No Campaign in the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.

The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties were in favour of Scotland remaining part of the UK while the SNP led the Yes campaign to be independent. Having three warring parties with totally different policies all on the same side was going to be a problem, with everyone having different ideas about how to run the campaign. Joining together under one banner of 'Better Together' implied a unity that wasn't there. This book looks into all that disunity and it is fascinating!

Within the Labour party itself, things were not good. Douglas Alexander and Jim Murphy, two party heavyweights disliked each other, and Alistair Darling distrusted them both. Darling did not want to front the campaign but each possible candidate was rejected by someone in Labour, forcing him to do it himself. Gordon Brown declared there should be a leader debate despite Darling being adamant that it should not happen. Scottish leader Johann Lamont was fighting with Ed Miliband over Westminster interference in her party. Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberals fired his Scottish Secretary Moore after he negotiated the New Scotland Act, replacing him with the hapless Carmichael. The Orkney Lib Dem office were asked to do a train station leaflet campaign like at Glasgow's Central station which was a real DOH! moment!

Then there was a problem with David Cameron managing to stuff up all the plans that the campaign had agreed on. The Scottish Office wanted a quick and immediate campaign while the SNP favoured a longer campaign and a vote in two years time. Cameron told the press he wasn't bothered when it happened, allowing the SNP to choose the timeframe, infuriating Better Together. A UK government spokesperson said there would be a currency union if a Yes vote won, despite No ruling this out as an option. The campaign was also threatened by bankrupcy and disagreement over Jim Murphy doing his own soapbox tour of Scotland which was seen as campaigning to topple Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.

Frankly when you read this book, it is amazing that No managed to get a win at all. It was fascinating to read about all the problems they had, the clashing egos of the politicians and the dreadful decision making. I think the parties learned from their mistakes when looking at cooperation for the EU Referendum. A great book for anyone interested in referendum campaigns or Scottish and British politics.

Read May 2017.
4 stars.