The rumour mill is in full grind tonight.....
Kevin Lang, the Lib Dem candidate for Edinburgh North & Leith, is alleged to be very annoyed at the news that John Barratt is retiring as the MP for the neighbouring Edinburgh West constituency.
Apparently Kevin has lived in Edinburgh West all of his life and the pair recently had a big conversation about Kevin's future and Barratt basically said that he had no plans of going anywhere anytime soon so Lang should stick in with another seat.
Kevin is well and truly confirmed as the Lib Dem candidate in North & Leith, Barratt is due to step down from Ed West so Kevin can't go for the highly attractive vacancy. The rumour goes that Kevin thinks this is all some sort of revenge plan for a falling out they had ages ago and is seriously put out that the third safest lib dem seat in Scotland, the very constituency he has lived in for so long, is up for grabs and he can't go for it.
It's not quite Tony and Gordon in Granita, but it's not too far off.
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5 comments:
I would have thought that Lang could make the shift and have Alex Cole-Hamilton stand for the Libs in the Westminster election before his candidacy in the Holyrood elections...
Jeff,
East Lothian Courier leading on the possible defection of Mr and Mrs Currie to the SNP (or Independents) and the possibility of Labour forming a Coalition with LibDems or Cons to take back power.
Everyone being very cagey about what might happen.
Isn't there anyone else they can call on without pinching candidiates from other target seats?
I generally have a policy of not commenting on blogs. However, having been notified of this article, I thought it would be helpful to provide some 'clarity' on all of this.
I'm personally very disappointed that John has chosen to stand down as he has been an outstanding constituency MP (shown by his majority at the last election).
I know nothing of this 'falling out' we supposedly had some years ago. Indeed, John spoke at my wedding and remains one of my closest friends!!!
Just a few days ago, John and I were chatting about the exciting prospect of the Liberal Democrats returning three brand new Members of Parliament in Edinburgh at the next General Election.
I realise that, having worked for John, my name has appeared on some lists of potential candidates. However, I am absolutely 100% focused on winning Edinburgh North & Leith, the constituency where I live and that I love, and have no plans to seek the nomination in Edinburgh West.
There are a raft of excellent 'would be' candidates in Edinburgh West and I am sure whoever is chosen, they will be a great standard bearer for the party to carry on the fine Lib Dem tradition in that constituency.
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, eh?
All the best
Kevin Lang
Thanks for the comment Kevin, clarification straight from the horse's mouth is always welcome. However, although I can't argue that you have the full facts at your disposal, you may not have the strongest of incentives to share them in their entirety. I must admit I was sceptical about the 'argument' part of the story but the source is a good one and given you worked for John and have lived in Ed West for so long, I remain certain you were more than a little bit peeved at missing a golden opportunity for a free pass to Westminster. But such is life, and it was a throwaway mischief-making post anyway, so best of luck in North and Leith. Tough months ahead for you guys but, fair's fair, I'm led to believe you and your agent are a genuinely formidable team. I'm still moving to Ochil if you win ;)
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