Joe Pike - Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided

T he idea for this project came during Christmas 2014, soon after Scotlands independence referendum. It had been a unique, thrilling and transformative time in Scottish and British politics. And, for me, the unlikely alliance of the three pro-UK parties in a Better Together coalition had been particularly fascinating.

Yet, despite capturing global media attention, no one had fully uncovered and documented what was happening behind the scenes. The more I talked to politicians, advisers and staffers, the more I was convinced that there was a fascinating tale to be told.

Project Fear began as an account of the referendums No campaign but, after my publisher Iain Dale wisely suggested that the general election in Scotland might be quite interesting, the books scope was extended to a second section exploring the activities of the three pro-UK parties up to 8 May 2015. With Scottish Labour at least back then the best-represented at Westminster, its affairs dominate.

This book is neither an exhaustive history of events, nor an assessment of the merits of arguments on either side. The majority of the content is based on over fifty interviews with key players, almost all conducted in person, with many speaking for the first time. Every interview from junior staff to leading politicians was conducted on the same off-the-record basis. Only a handful of people refused to be involved.

When quotation marks are used, the source was either someone directly involved, a witness to a conversation or a transcript. Quotes without quotation marks merely summarise the thrust of what was said. Many interviewees have kindly provided emails, internal documents, polling information, contemporaneous notes and the content of text messages.

I hope this is a pacy, entertaining read, full of fresh insight and of particular interest to those keen on understanding contemporary UK politics, campaigns and referendums. Ahead of the EU referendum and perhaps even a second Scottish referendum there is clearly much to learn. I have kept analysis to a minimum, allowing those at the centre of events to provide their own contrasting interpretations, and readers to make up their own minds.

My then partner, now husband, Gordon Aikman worked for Better Together until being diagnosed with the terminal neurodegenerative condition motor neurone disease in early 2014. To avoid any conflict of interest, I have steered clear of his involvement.

I am, above all, extremely grateful to my sources. They have been generous with their time and now both the referendum and general election are behind us candid in their contributions. I realise some may not enjoy depictions of themselves in print, but I hope that participants in the process will recognise the care taken to be both empathetic and fair.

Iain Dale kindly took a punt on this, my first book, and I am indebted to him for his continued encouragement and advice. Olivia Beattie and Melissa Bond at Biteback Publishing have done sterling work getting the project into shape and turning the text around in time for the first anniversary of the independence referendum.

Edward Durnall at Opal deserves credit for fixing my laptop (and saving the text) when it came into contact with a cup of coffee.

I am grateful to Catherine Houlihan for her support, and to my colleagues at the Scottish Parliament: Paul McKinney, Peter MacMahon, Kathryn Samson, Alistair McKenzie and Kerry Plummer.

Dr Helen OShea, Dr Mike Pike, Dr Claire Burns, Dr Gerard Cummins and Giles Winn have all provided invaluable feedback on early drafts. However, any errors remain mine and mine alone.

Finally, Gordon Aikman has been a constant source of encouragement and support. His fearlessness, kindness, reassurance and patience have made me a far better person.

Joe Pike

@joepike

Edinburgh, August 2015