Labour former Chancellor Alistair Darling dies two days after seventieth birthday
Former Chancellor and veteran Labour politician Alistair Darling has died aged 70.
An announcement issued on behalf of his household mentioned: “The death of Alistair Darling, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and long-serving member of the Labour cabinet, was announced in Edinburgh today. Mr Darling, the much-loved husband of Margaret and beloved father of Calum and Anna, died after a short spell in Western General Hospital under the wonderful care of the cancer team.”
Keir Starmer led tributes to a politician who “lived a life devoted to public service” and mentioned he was “deeply saddened” by his passing. In a press release, the Labour chief mentioned: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Alistair Darling. My heart goes out to his family, particularly Maggie, Calum and Anna, whom he loved so dearly.
“Alistair lived a life dedicated to public service. He might be remembered because the Chancellor whose calm experience and honesty helped to information Britain via the tumult of the worldwide monetary disaster. He was a lifelong advocate for Scotland and the Scottish folks and his biggest skilled delight got here from representing his constituents in Edinburgh.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have benefited from Alistair’s counsel and friendship. He was always at hand to provide advice built on his decades of experience – always with his trademark wry, good humour. Alistair will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. His loss to the Labour Party, his friends and his family is immeasurable.”
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell expressed his unhappiness, describing Lord Darling as “generous of spirit” regardless of their disagreements on coverage. He mentioned: “So sorry to hear that Alistair Darling has died. We may have at times differed on economic strategy but he was always generous of spirit & I enjoyed his quick wit in even the most challenging of times. I send my condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”
Lord Darling helped flip across the disastrous 2008 financial crash whereas serving as Gordon Brown’s Chancellor from 2007 to 2010. He served as a Cabinet minister all through the New Labour years, beneath Tony Blair after which Mr Brown’s management.
He was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury after the 1997 election landslide, earlier than serving as Social Security Secretary, Work and Pensions Secretary, Transport Secretary, Scotland Secretary, Trade and Industry Secretary and eventually Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Darling, who was first elected as an MP in Edinburgh in 1987, led the profitable Better Together marketing campaign to maintain Scotland within the UK in 2014. He stood down in 2015 and was shortly afterwards he was made a peer, turning into Lord Darling of Roulanish.
