A FORMER minister in Tony Blair’s Government aims to make a comeback at Westminster by winning the East Lothian constituency at the next General Election.

Douglas Alexander told the Courier that Scottish Labour would “have to work for and earn every single vote” if they were to win back the East Lothian seat.

The constituency, currently held by Kenny MacAskill – who was elected under the SNP banner in 2019 but later defected to ALBA – is a key target seat for Labour in the next General Election.

Mr MacAskill, who has not ruled out standing for re-election, has a majority of 3,886, having taken the seat from Labour’s Martin Whitfield.

Mr Alexander, who was in both Mr Blair’s cabinet and that of his successor Gordon Brown, was confirmed as the party’s East Lothian candidate over the weekend and is keen to get back into politics, having lost the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat, which he held from 1997 to 2015, to the SNP’s Mhairi Black, who was aged just 20 at the time.

'Marginal seat'

In his first interview following his selection, he told the Courier: “Of course, we are hoping to win the support of people in East Lothian. It really is one of our very top target seats in the whole of the country.

“But I have no illusions this is going to be an extremely hard fought, marginal seat and we have to work for and earn every single vote.

“I think part of the reason that I was successful in the selection is that local supporters felt that as a candidate I would be able to appeal to voters who have always voted Labour but also voters who have never voted Labour.

“I approach that task with humility but also determination.

“I am keen to reach out to voters in every part of the county and make the case that Labour can make a difference in their lives and in their communities.”

A former Secretary of State for Scotland and former UK Transport Secretary, he previously worked in Edinburgh as a solicitor but moved to the west of Scotland when he was first elected.

'I will be house-hunting'

The 55-year-old is keen to make the move to East Lothian with his family.

He said: “I’m not sure where and I have been receiving a lot of advice on that question since Sunday afternoon, and that seems to be about as political a question as any other question I was asked during the selection process.

“I will take my time but I will be house-hunting.”

The politician acknowledged “where you come from matters but so too is what you stand for”.

The Labour candidate noted the population growth in East Lothian and the challenges that that brought.

He said: “[One of the challenges is] the population growth that we are going to be seeing in East Lothian in the years ahead and the need to make sure that there is decent financial support for the services that every community relies on – whether that is making sure that there is appropriate developer contribution for the primary school or GP services that new communities like Blindwells are going to rely on; whether it is making sure that there is government support for initiatives like East Lothian Council’s ownership of [the former] Cockenzie [power station site].

“That is a site with huge potential but, notwithstanding the recent levelling-up funding that has been awarded to the council, there is still more to do to make sure there are good jobs and good prospects for what is going to be a vital site.

“There are many local challenges but one of the things that has struck me during those conversations is what an incredibly popular place East Lothian is.”

'Scotland is being let down'

There have been three General Elections – and five Prime Ministers – since Mr Alexander lost his seat.

During his time away from politics, he has been a senior fellow at Harvard University and has also taught at New York University.

He said: “It has been a great opportunity to spend time outside of politics.

“It has given me the time and the space to gain some perspective, maybe to see ourselves in Scotland as others see us.

“I genuinely believe Scotland is being let down.

“We have been pretty stuck in recent years in terms of our politics so time away lends perspective but fundamentally I believe in both public service and that we can do better than today’s politics.

“I hope that as a candidate and, if I am successful, in time as an MP, I come back as a different and hopefully a better politician having spent some time away.”

'Running scared of Mhairi Black'

Mr MacAskill, MP for East Lothian, offered his congratulations but was non-committal on whether he would seek re-election.

He said: “My position remains that it’s an honour and a privilege to serve and I continue to do so.”

Paul McLennan (SNP), East Lothian MSP, questioned Labour’s choice.

He said: “Scottish Labour hasn’t had an original idea in a decade – so it’s no surprise to see the ghosts of referendums past resurrected when the going gets tough.

“East Lothian is no place to hide if you’re running scared of Mhairi Black.

“The SNP relish the prospect of putting our positive vision of the future to the people of East Lothian and I trust they will continue to put their faith in us to deliver on their priorities.”

Anthony Stoddart, chairman of the East Lothian Conservative & Unionist Association, said: “It is interesting to see East Lothian Labour select someone from outside of the county as their candidate – as is our current MP, who is rarely seen in the county.

“Douglas Alexander currently spends more of his time in Harvard than East Lothian. The East Lothian Conservative and Unionists will strive to continue to select local candidates from East Lothian who know and understand the local issues and who will put the people of East Lothian first.”