 | 'Labour's strategists are taking nothing for granted, acknowledging privately they may have a "tough battle" on their hands in spite of Mr Canavan's 13,783 majority for Labour in the 1997 general election.' Catherine MacLeod in the Herald, 29 th November 2000 |  |
John Reid, the Scottish Secretary, is expected to launch Labour's campaign in Scotland, while Ann Taylor, the chief whip moves the writ for the by-election - caused by the resignation of rebel MP Dennis Canavan - in the House of Commons.
Labour's strategists are taking nothing for granted, acknowledging privately they may have a "tough battle" on their hands in spite of Mr Canavan's 13,783 majority for Labour in the 1997 general election. So far, Mr Canavan has not backed any of the candidates.Labour is determined "not to open any old wounds" with the former Labour MP who resigned from the party, but considered rejoining before finally deciding last week that he would not.
Last night, a Labour spokesman said: "We shall not be picking a fight with Dennis. The people of Falkirk West have had their say. They picked Dennis for the Scottish Parliament. Now they need a new MP and we shall give it our best shot. We will not seek to open any old wounds."
- Nov 29
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