UK NEWS

PARTY HEADS FOR A MCFALL

TOUGH TIMES: John McFall

Wednesday July 2,2008

By Kerry Gill Scottish Political Editor

A SENIOR Labour MP last night admitted his party could be facing defeat in the Glasgow East by-election.

John McFall, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, conceded Labour may be staring at another loss following the results in Crewe and Nantwich and Henley.

Another defeat – particularly in Glasgow East, where Labour are defending a huge 13,500 majority – could spell the end for Gordon Brown as leader. When asked if Labour would retain the seat, Mr McFall, MP for nearby West Dunbartonshire, said: “These are very challenging times. The next 18 months or so are going to be tough for us.”

Alex Salmond accused Labour of being in a “blind panic” over the prospect of fighting the Glasgow East by-election. Mr Salmond said: “It is extraordinary and unprecedented for Labour to hold a Glasgow by-election during the Glasgow Fair – they are running scared of the electorate.

“Labour have lost the trust of the people, and are clearly hoping to have a by-election with no voters.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Gordon, the Labour MSP who quit the frontbench in the midst of the donations controversy that engulfed Wendy Alexander, confirmed he was thinking of standing for the party’s leadership. Mr Gordon said: “I will not deny I am considering standing.”

He is the latest politician to emerge as a potential candidate for the job after Ms Alexander resigned at the weekend. Last year Mr Gordon stood down as transport spokesman after admitting mistakes over a £950 donation to Ms Alexander’s leadership campaign.

lThe Scottish Tories last night unveiled their candidate for the by-election. Davena Rankin, 32, is the daughter of a Scottish mother and a West Indian father.

She is commercial manager at Glasgow Caledonian University and the Unison branch secretary.