The Sectarianism Debate and the Advent of Devolution

This chapter focusses on the way religious sectarianism became a major topic of public debate in Scotland from the 1990s. It considers the media coverage of the issue and how it became entangled in the Labour–Scottish National Party (SNP) power struggle. It puts the controversy firmly into the context of the early days of devolution in Scotland. The chapter examines Jack McConnell’s ‘crusade’ around the issue and questions its political value; it is contended that Labour by the 2000s was effectively unable to tell the positive story of the containment of sectarianism in the past and the extent to which working-class people were persuaded to unite around socio-economic matters. The chapter also assesses the SNP’s handling of the topic in government, including its football legislation of 2012.