Oh Dear !

[tonyav]

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/alistair-darling-to-stand-down-as-labour-mp/ar-BBcAOcl

[boxtops]

Is that a flounce?

[tonyav]

I would say it is, boxy.

[DTCwordfan]

Shame it wasn't Ed Balls.....

[tonyav]

There still time, DT !.

[BlackadderV]

His seat is at risk of being captured by the SNP (Darling not being flavour of the month in that quarter) or even by the Tories, so jump before you are pushed.

[agchristie]

'Frustrated that the Labour Party hasn't kicked on'..

He won't be the only MP thinking that....

[naomi24]

Smart move.

[Gromit]

He would have lost to the SNP by a huge margin in May 2015, so him ducking out of the fight is not surprising.

It is a blow to Labour because he is a credible alternative to Balls.

[janbee]

Well, I for one am disappointed. I actually liked Mr D and have met him a few times in Edinburgh. He was a credible candidate to stand against Mr Ed for party leadership. Seems like Mr Ed a.k.a. The MILLIEpede, is just lurching from one problem to the next. Millie is a vote/seat loser and the party MUST get a new leader asap.

[murraymints]

I am with Jan ..have met him several times too ..when he was a leading light on Edinburgh Council..very nice and clever man..think the separation thing has tired him out..maybe he feels he has now done his bit for Scotland and wants to retire for a bit of peace with his family..I wish him well and thank him for his contribution to better together..

[janbee]

I agree minty

[murraymints]

minty for leader.....i would just love to take a broom to clear oot the dross and thrash out some good honest home truths !

[janbee]

Gaun yersel hen...

[Gromit]

The Predicted vote in Edinburgh South West compared to the last General Election

2010 Share Predicted Votes
LAB 19,473 42.83% 26.84%
NAT 5,530 12.16% 39.69%

[anotheoldgit]

Leaving a sinking ship springs to mind.

[Gromit]

You are right AOG.
Bearing in mind the Conservative ship in Scotland sank long ago.