BLACK DOG: Labour's got a new Darling

By BLACK DOG FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

Published: | Updated:

Ed Miliband faces being upstaged at  the Labour Conference next month when ‘Bonnie Prince Alistair’ Darling turns up days after his expected triumph over Alex Salmond in the Scottish referendum. 

Darling will tell Miliband he is ready to help him win next year’s General Election, but some Labour MPs want him  to go further. ‘Darling’s humiliation of Salmond in the referendum TV debate  was Labour’s first victory in anything  for years,’ said one. 

‘In my dreams, Miliband steps down in his conference speech, hands over to Alistair and we win power.’ Dream on.

Ed Miliband faces being upstaged at the Labour Conference next month when 'Bonnie Prince Alistair' Darling turns up days after his expected triumph over Alex Salmond in the Scottish referendum
Ed Miliband faces being upstaged at the Labour Conference next month when 'Bonnie Prince Alistair' Darling turns up days after his expected triumph over Alex Salmond in the Scottish referendum

Ed Miliband (right) faces being upstaged at the Labour Conference next month by Alistair Darling (left)

Rabble-rousing MP George Galloway turned 60 yesterday, but shows no sign of flagging. Scots-born ‘Gorgeous George’ celebrated by playing with Toren, his four-week-old son by his fourth wife, 29-year-old Putri Gayatri Pertiwi.

And he is about to embark on a three-week tour, delivering 17 speeches attacking Scottish independence.

‘We have to crush Alex Salmond and the Nats totally or the referendum debate will turn into what I call a “never-endum” and go on for ever.’ Just like Galloway.

And we thought a lady mustn't gossip

The resignation of Muslim Tory Minister Sayeeda Warsi did not impress fellow ethnic minority peer Baroness Shreela Flather, pictured, ennobled by Maggie Thatcher

The resignation of Muslim Tory Minister Sayeeda Warsi did not impress fellow ethnic minority peer Baroness Shreela Flather, pictured, ennobled by Maggie Thatcher

The resignation of Muslim Tory  Minister Sayeeda Warsi did not impress fellow ethnic minority peer Baroness Shreela Flather, ennobled by Maggie Thatcher.

‘I told David Cameron to stop patronising ethnic minorities and he dismissed me, saying naively, “Leave it to Sayeeda.”

The Tories promoted her, told her how to speak, how to dress and she betrayed them. For her to complain about “bitching” by colleagues is absurd – she likes a gossip as much as anyone.’ Miaow.

Friends of Labour MP David  Lammy say he has had a ‘makeover’ ahead of his plan to use next month’s party conference to announce he wants to be London Mayor.

‘He has lost half a stone  and bought himself a trendy new wardrobe of sharp suits,’ said one, adding in less  than comradely style: ‘All he needs now is  a personality and some policies, but you can’t buy those.’

A Creasy chicken circuit

Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy claims she once ‘chickened out’ of applying for a job ‘because I was worried people wouldn’t take me seriously’.

But she is not so backward in coming forward these days. Labour MPs say she is currently working the party’s ‘rubber chicken circuit’, wooing support from local  activists in preparation for a leadership  bid one day. Seriously.

Nick Clegg's reshuffle of Liberal Democrats – in which Cleggie’s acolytes are spreading rumours that  Vince Cable may quit – has been delayed until after the party’s conference next month.

Er, why not before the event so  Lib Dem activists can see the new ministerial line-up in action?

‘Because the conference programme is already printed and we’re so broke we cannot afford to do another one,’ confessed an official.


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