Labour former Chancellor Alistair Darling dies two days after 70th birthday
Former Chancellor and veteran Labour politician Alistair Darling has died aged 70.
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: "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 said he was "deeply saddened" by his passing. Lord Darling helped turn around the disastrous 2008 economic crash while serving as Gordon Brown’s Chancellor from 2007 to 2010. He served as a Cabinet minister throughout the New Labour years, under Tony Blair and then Mr Brown's leadership.
He was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury after the 1997 election landslide, before serving as Social Security Secretary, Work and Pensions Secretary, Transport Secretary, Scotland Secretary, Trade and Industry Secretary and finally Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Darling, who was first elected as an MP in Edinburgh in 1987, led the successful Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the UK in 2014. He stood down in 2015 and was shortly afterwards he was made a peer, becoming Lord Darling of Roulanish.
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In a statement, the Labour leader said: "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.
Lord Darling was Chancellor during Gordon Brown's premiership (Getty Images)"Alistair lived a life devoted to public service. He will be remembered as the Chancellor whose calm expertise and honesty helped to guide Britain through the tumult of the global financial crisis. He was a lifelong advocate for Scotland and the Scottish people and his greatest professional pride came 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."
Mr Brown, who named Lord Darling as his Chancellor, tweeted: "I am deeply saddened by the death of Alistair Darling. I, like many relied on his wisdom, calmness in a crisis and his humour. I send my deepest condolences to his loving wife Maggie and their children Calum and Anna. He will be missed by all who knew him."
Former PM Sir Tony Blair said Alistair Darling was the "safest of safe hands" in government. "Alistair Darling was a rarity in politics," he said. "I never met anyone who didn't like him. He was highly capable, though modest, understated but never to be underestimated, always kind and dignified even under the intense pressure politics can generate.
"He was the safest of safe hands. I knew he could be given any position in the Cabinet and be depended upon. I liked him and respected him immensely as a colleague and as a friend. He added: "I remember him with huge affection. He has been taken from us far too soon. My deepest condolences to Maggie, to Calum and Anna."
Alistair Darling was widely praised for his work as Chancellor during the 2008 financial crisis (Getty Images)Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said he had left an "enduring legacy on our country". She said: "As Chancellor, he showed extraordinary leadership and helped steward our economy during the global financial crisis. I will miss his advice and his counsel.
"But, more than anything I will miss his friendship, his kindness and decency, his humour and his warmth. My thoughts are with Maggie and their family today as they grieve their loss.”
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell expressed his sadness, describing Lord Darling as "generous of spirit" despite their disagreements on policy. He said: "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."
Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "What a giant of a man. Compelling intellect, wicked sense of humour, phenomenal public servant and the most loving father and husband. Such a great, great loss."
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Ex-PM Boris Johnson also paid tribute. He said: "I was so sorry to hear of the death of Alistair Darling. He was a towering figure in Labour politics and he always brought wit, wisdom and intellect to his work. My thoughts are with his family."
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said it was a "sad day" as he praised Lord Darling for his time in the Treasury. He tweeted: "One of the great Chancellors, he’ll be remembered for doing the right thing for the country at a time of extraordinary turmoil. My deepest sympathies to his family."
Former PM Theresa May said Lord Darling was a "committed public servant, a proud Unionist and a calm, kind and decent man". She added: "He was an asset to our politics and our national life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said: “The public deserve politicians who act with courage and on the basis of their convictions - Alistair Darling certainly displayed those qualities throughout his career in public life and will rightly be remembered by many. My thoughts are very much with his family, friends and Labour Party colleagues.”
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