A Scot at Westminster by Donald Stewart

Donald Stewart was MP for the Western Isles for 17 years from 1970 until 1987. Prior to that, he served as a Councillor of Stornoway Town Council for nearly 20 years, including some 8 years as Provost. He became one of the best-known most respected politicians locally, throughout Scotland, and in London. In this riveting memoir, edited by his sister Mary Stewart MacKinnon and published in 1994, Donald looks back on his political life in the House of Commons and reflects on some of the characters he became familiar with there, from Prime Ministers Ted Heath, Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, and Margaret Thatcher to other colourful Parliamentary colleagues from all Parties.

Donald had a reputation as a raconteur and his memoir is full of humorous anecdotes. It is filled with shrewd and witty comments on the issues and personalities of the time, and makes entertaining and informative reading. While Donald sets out clearly his own political opinions as a longstanding member of the Scottish National Party, he always does so in respectful and measured terms, ever sensitive to the views of others. It is a valuable, insightful, and fascinating record of his time as an island representative, standing up for the interests of fishermen, crofters, and his other constituents, in the turbulent and very different environment of pre-devolution Westminster.

Part of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Bethesda Hospice.

ISBN: 0-9698337-1-7