Former Labour MP Douglas Alexander Seeks Comeback in East Lothian

Douglas Alexander, a former Labour MP, has announced his intention to regain a seat in East Lothian, Scotland, in the upcoming UK general election. Alexander will be challenging the Scottish National Party's (SNP) Iain Whyte for the constituency currently held by Alba's Kenny MacAskill.

Alexander previously served as an MP but was defeated in his seat in 2015 to Mhairi Black of the SNP. With a general election expected later this year or in 2025, political parties are already in the process of selecting their candidates. Alexander is one of at least 19 former MPs seeking to make a comeback in the next election.

According to sources close to Alexander, he was approached by local Labour Party members who encouraged him to consider standing in East Lothian. "Douglas's focus is on getting elected in East Lothian rather than any ambitions for a government job," said one party insider familiar with the situation.

Other notable former MPs attempting to return to Westminster include Heidi Alexander and Matthew Green. The majority of ex-MPs standing again in the upcoming election are from the Labour Party, signaling a coordinated effort by the party to regain seats lost in previous elections.

Why this matters: The return of experienced former MPs like Douglas Alexander could potentially improve Labour's chances of making gains in the next general election. The East Lothian race will be closely watched as a bellwether for the broader political dynamics in Scotland.

As the election campaign begins to take shape, Alexander expressed his determination to win back the trust of East Lothian voters. "I am committed to listening to the concerns of local residents and being a strong voice for East Lothian in Parliament," Alexander stated. The outcome of this key constituency battle could have significant implications for the balance of power in Westminster and the trajectory of Scottish politics.

Key Takeaways

• Douglas Alexander, former Labour MP, to run in East Lothian, Scotland.
• Alexander previously lost his seat to SNP's Mhairi Black in 2015.
• At least 19 former MPs seeking to make a comeback in next UK election.
• Labour's coordinated effort to regain seats lost in previous elections.
• East Lothian race seen as a bellwether for Scottish political dynamics.