 | 'The corruption which all the citizens know full well about is the corruption at the heart of the Labour Party in Scotland itself.' Jack McLean in the Scotsman 2 nd October 1997 |  |
| 'The corruption which all the citizens know full well about is the corruption at the heart of the Labour Party in Scotland itself.' Jack McLean in the Scotsman 2 nd October 1997 | |
Douglas Alexander, an Edinburgh solicitor who is a parttime adviser to Mr Brown, will fight Pat McFadden, who works on constitutional issues for Mr Blair in the No 10 Policy Unit, for the nomination.
A committee will today draw up a short list of candidates for what is expected to be a difficult by-election. It is being held after the suicide of the Labour MP Gordon McMaster and is likely to dominated by allegations of bitter Labour in-fighting.
Last night, Mr Alexander was emerging as the clear favourite to win the nomination as he can point to the experience of the hard-fought Perth and Kinross by-election in 1995, in which he came second behind the Scottish National Party's Roseanna Cunningham.
Mr Alexander's allies were already pointing out that Mr McFadden, though he has a detailed knowledge of Scottish politics as a former researcher to the Scottish secretary, Donald Dewar, has no experience of the intense media scrutiny of a byelection.
Supporters of Mr McFadden were saying that his experience working for Mr Blair, who gave him permission to stand but is not endorsing any candidate, would be an advantage which he could exploit in seeking to win over the 350 local party members who will make the choice from the short list.
Although the contest appears to be between the two aides, one other contender who could win serious support entered the ring last night.
Margaret McCulloch, the woman who chaired the party's inquiry into the Glasgow Labour Party and who has been dubbed a "sleazebuster", is also on the list from which the final short list will be chosen.
Three other potential candidates are on the "long list", John McDowell, the vice-chairman of the local party; Richard Olszewski, a lobbyist who used to work for the Scottish Office minister Brian Wilson; and Alan Wilson, Mr Wilson's agent in the Cunningham North constituency.
Last night, although Mr McFadden's friends were trying hard to talk up his chances, it seemed clear that Mr Alexander was the clear favourite as, unlike his rival, he will be supported by his "boss".
Those who make the short list will go before a meeting of the local party members on Wednesday with the by-election expected on 30 October.
Sir Jeremy Beecham, the leader of Local Government Association Labour Group, also hinted that proportional representation could be the way to end "one-party rule" in some cities, which critics believe creates the climate for sleaze.
As the party continues its investigation into Glasgow City Council which has seen nine councillors suspended, including the Lord Provost, Pat Lally, and the Labour group leader, Bob Gould Sir Jeremy told the conference that the responsibilities of leadership went hand in hand with accountability.
The party also approved new guidelines for councillors. They are aimed at ensuring "integrity and probity" in local government. Sir Jeremy told the conference that councillors had to earn the trust of the electorate.
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