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Thrive: The Freedom to Flourish
Why won’t Scots simmer down?
Why batter on about independence when folk voted no a decade back?
After all. Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire, nor as wealthy as London.
But it’s also not as Conservative, nor as suspicious of Europeans, as keen on Brexit or as willing to flog off public assets to the ruling party’s pals.
Scotland is a former state with its own laws, education, universities, languages, welfare system, history and hang-ups. A progressive North Atlantic nation steered by a Westminster government that’s totally preoccupied with regaining lost imperial status.
Put simply – with or without Nicola Sturgeon at the helm – Scotland is another country. A social democracy stuck in a Conservative state.
And that’s why 50% of Scots are determined to find a way out.
In this book, Blossom author Lesley Riddoch sets out an impassioned case for independence, weaving academic evidence with the story, and international comparison with anecdote, to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world’s newest state and how the British Isles can work better when Scotland is governed by the folk who call it home.
Let’s cast aside preconceptions. Whichever way you voted in 2014 – if you were able – the world has changed, Europe has changed and the UK has changed – though not in a good way.
Scots need the freedom to change too.
Why batter on about independence when folk voted no a decade back?
After all. Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire, nor as wealthy as London.
But it’s also not as Conservative, nor as suspicious of Europeans, as keen on Brexit or as willing to flog off public assets to the ruling party’s pals.
Scotland is a former state with its own laws, education, universities, languages, welfare system, history and hang-ups. A progressive North Atlantic nation steered by a Westminster government that’s totally preoccupied with regaining lost imperial status.
Put simply – with or without Nicola Sturgeon at the helm – Scotland is another country. A social democracy stuck in a Conservative state.
And that’s why 50% of Scots are determined to find a way out.
In this book, Blossom author Lesley Riddoch sets out an impassioned case for independence, weaving academic evidence with the story, and international comparison with anecdote, to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world’s newest state and how the British Isles can work better when Scotland is governed by the folk who call it home.
Let’s cast aside preconceptions. Whichever way you voted in 2014 – if you were able – the world has changed, Europe has changed and the UK has changed – though not in a good way.
Scots need the freedom to change too.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Riddoch
14 books15 followersLesley Anne Riddoch (born February 1960) is a Scottish journalist and radio broadcaster. Born 1960 in Wolverhampton, England, Riddoch moved with her Scottish parents to Belfast in 1963, then to Glasgow in 1973, where she attended Drewsteignton, a fee-paying private school then located in the affluent suburb of Bearsden. In 1978 she attended the University of Oxford and graduated with an honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. She was also elected president of the student union in 1981. After graduating she studied for a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Cardiff University.
From 1989 to 1994 she presented the BBC Radio Scotland programme Speaking Out and was one of the presenters of Radio Four programme You and Yours. In 1993 Riddoch won a Cosmopolitan woman award for Communication and in 1994 her Radio Scotland production team won best talk show award. One of the Speaking Out programmes took the Silver Quill Law Society award that same year. Between 1999 and 2005 she had her own daily radio programme the Lesley Riddoch Show on Radio Scotland.
From 1989 to 1994 she presented the BBC Radio Scotland programme Speaking Out and was one of the presenters of Radio Four programme You and Yours. In 1993 Riddoch won a Cosmopolitan woman award for Communication and in 1994 her Radio Scotland production team won best talk show award. One of the Speaking Out programmes took the Silver Quill Law Society award that same year. Between 1999 and 2005 she had her own daily radio programme the Lesley Riddoch Show on Radio Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 13, 2024
Very educational and thought provoking. I learnt a lot and enjoyed the mix of fact, opinion and Lesley's voice throughout. In my view this should be key reading in the SQA modern studies syllabus.
July 5, 2023
Author and journalist, Dr Lesley Riddoch is one of the most inspirational and positive people who you could ever hope to encounter. She does not spend her time getting angry, she spends it looking for solutions.
In 2020, while covid shut down the world and the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath seemed likely to pass almost unnoticed, she commissioned a wonderful documentary about the document which many believe was the inspiration for the US Declaration of Independence. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZYW...).
Her latest book Thrive is a must-read eye-opener on why Scotland could and should thrive and flourish:
"Why won’t Scots simmer down?
Why batter on about independence when folk voted no a decade back?
After all. Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire. Nor as wealthy as London.
But it’s also not as Conservative. Nor as suspicious of Europeans, keen on Brexit or willing to flog off public assets to the ruling party’s pals.
Put simply - and with or without Nicola Sturgeon at the helm - Scotland is a social democracy stuck in a Conservative state with no legal way out. A progressive North Atlantic nation steered by a Westminster government that’s preoccupied with regaining its lost imperial status.
Scotland is a former state with its own laws, education, universities, languages, welfare system, history and hang-ups - in short, another country.
And the British Isles will work better together when Scotland is governed by the folk who call it home. In Thrive, Lesley Riddoch makes an impassioned case for independence, weaving academic evidence with story, international comparison with anecdote, to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world’s newest state.
‘Let’s cast aside pre-conceptions. Whichever way you voted in 2014 – if you were able – the world has changed, Europe has changed, the UK has changed (not in a good way) and now Scots need the freedom to change too."
In 2020, while covid shut down the world and the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath seemed likely to pass almost unnoticed, she commissioned a wonderful documentary about the document which many believe was the inspiration for the US Declaration of Independence. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZYW...).
Her latest book Thrive is a must-read eye-opener on why Scotland could and should thrive and flourish:
"Why won’t Scots simmer down?
Why batter on about independence when folk voted no a decade back?
After all. Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire. Nor as wealthy as London.
But it’s also not as Conservative. Nor as suspicious of Europeans, keen on Brexit or willing to flog off public assets to the ruling party’s pals.
Put simply - and with or without Nicola Sturgeon at the helm - Scotland is a social democracy stuck in a Conservative state with no legal way out. A progressive North Atlantic nation steered by a Westminster government that’s preoccupied with regaining its lost imperial status.
Scotland is a former state with its own laws, education, universities, languages, welfare system, history and hang-ups - in short, another country.
And the British Isles will work better together when Scotland is governed by the folk who call it home. In Thrive, Lesley Riddoch makes an impassioned case for independence, weaving academic evidence with story, international comparison with anecdote, to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world’s newest state.
‘Let’s cast aside pre-conceptions. Whichever way you voted in 2014 – if you were able – the world has changed, Europe has changed, the UK has changed (not in a good way) and now Scots need the freedom to change too."
March 14, 2024
Bit of a frustrating slog to get through this one.
If you already approve of Independence and you want a rousing cheer for your side, and you're not annoyed by poor argumentation, you might like this book.
But it's not going to persuade anybody who doesn't already agree, and if you do care about quality of evidence and logic, you won't enjoy it whatever your opinions are.
I started taking notes of all the logical fallacies and evidence gaps, but quickly gave up or I'd never get through the damn thing. Lots of the stories that I didn't already know were fascinating, but the ones that I did already know often had key details incorrect or taken out of important context, which makes me question whether I can trust the ones that were new to me. (The section on energy was mostly incorrect. The section on tenements was fascinating but not sufficiently demonstrated.)
Lots of speculation. Lots of cherry picked examples. Virtually no rigour. I don't disagree with the thesis, but this is not how you make the case! I have to conclude that she wasn't trying to make the case but instead rally the troops (or preach to he choir to be less charitable). For a certain subset of the troops/choir, maybe it's effective. Not for me.
If you already approve of Independence and you want a rousing cheer for your side, and you're not annoyed by poor argumentation, you might like this book.
But it's not going to persuade anybody who doesn't already agree, and if you do care about quality of evidence and logic, you won't enjoy it whatever your opinions are.
I started taking notes of all the logical fallacies and evidence gaps, but quickly gave up or I'd never get through the damn thing. Lots of the stories that I didn't already know were fascinating, but the ones that I did already know often had key details incorrect or taken out of important context, which makes me question whether I can trust the ones that were new to me. (The section on energy was mostly incorrect. The section on tenements was fascinating but not sufficiently demonstrated.)
Lots of speculation. Lots of cherry picked examples. Virtually no rigour. I don't disagree with the thesis, but this is not how you make the case! I have to conclude that she wasn't trying to make the case but instead rally the troops (or preach to he choir to be less charitable). For a certain subset of the troops/choir, maybe it's effective. Not for me.
July 3, 2023
This is a very positive and hopeful book.
As an Anglo-Scot (of the contemporary type rather than the older estate-owning version) I thought I was well-informed on the issues it explores, but 'Thrive' has widened my knowledge and understanding significantly. Whilst the book doesn't pull its punches in its promotion of independence as the best option for Scotland, it is refreshingly calm and balanced in it's tone; seeking to win over folk unsure about independence through clarity of thinking rather than fanning flames of fear or passion.
This is a book to read and admire, before passing on or recommending - particularly to family, friends, or colleagues not yet convinced by benefits and possibilities offered by independence.
As an Anglo-Scot (of the contemporary type rather than the older estate-owning version) I thought I was well-informed on the issues it explores, but 'Thrive' has widened my knowledge and understanding significantly. Whilst the book doesn't pull its punches in its promotion of independence as the best option for Scotland, it is refreshingly calm and balanced in it's tone; seeking to win over folk unsure about independence through clarity of thinking rather than fanning flames of fear or passion.
This is a book to read and admire, before passing on or recommending - particularly to family, friends, or colleagues not yet convinced by benefits and possibilities offered by independence.
July 21, 2023
As with her earlier book Blossom this is an informative read and makes you wonder why is Scotland not already an independent country? It's the natural progression for us and her comparisons of similar sized, and smaller, countries to Scotland (without the natural resources Scotland possess ) shows what can be achieved. An enjoyable and easy read.n
July 19, 2023
A truly enjoyable read. Inspirational in highlighting what can be achieved by positive action on the part of small communities when faced with apparently insurmountable opposition. Taken to a national level for Nordic and Newly independent Baltic states. Scotland what’s holding you back?
June 30, 2023
One of the most interesting and inspiring books I have ever read. Full stop.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews