Wendy Alexander, Clinging To The Wreckage

Wendy Alexander would probably deny that she's clinging to the wreckage but that's certainly what it feels like. Her ability to hang on in is in reality no ability at all. Laying low and not facing either her colleagues in Holyrood or a full on press conference means that it's no great feat. The fact is she can do little else as she must be 'under orders' from Westminster because, as almost every commentator has pointed out, if she goes so does Harriet Harmen. Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life has said it is surprising that somebody of WA's experience had run foul of the regulations and "clearly wasn't aware of the detailed rules". Meanwhile the press in Scotland have, I think, given her a relatively soft ride. Is it because they fear the alternatives? The fact is it seems that WA is the best the Labour have to offer, the one most likely to give the SNP a run for their money. However, if this goes on very much longer even with the public's short memories it could send Scottish Labour into the dark ages. With no effective Tory or Lib Dem opposition Scotland seems doomed to an SNP hell bent on independence.