05/05/05: The Election : SCOTLAND AT THE BALLOT - I Was a Great Admirer of John Smith, and Gordon Is the Kind of Politician Who Gives Politics a Good Name ...He Cares about the Right Issues; BROWN'S BLUE EYED BOY DOUGLAS IS LABOUR'S BRIGHT YOUNG THING

Byline: By SIOBHAN McFADYEN The First Lady of Scottish politics

IN JUST eight days time the UK will wake up to a new Government for a new age.

And if Labour succeeds in winning a historic third term, it could well lead to what many Scots would like to see - the emergence of a Scottish Prime Minister.

After the sad and untimely death of Labour leader John Smith in 1994, it will be the first real opportunity for a Scot - Gordon Brown - to prove his credentials as the natural and logical successor to Tony Blair.

And if the Iron Chancellor succeeds, there will be another Scot whose support in the background will have been immeasurable.

Douglas Alexander, MP for Paisley, is rooted in the values of old Labour that have driven Brown to such heights in the party and the country.

And at the age of just 37, he has experienced a political life that could rival even the most revered and senior of MPs.

Committed to politics since his mother took him campaigning in his pushchair - he is desperate to see Labour romp home on May 5.

But the Chancellor's former tea boy is not complacent about Labour's chances.

Brown's blue-eyed boy has been at the core of one of the most controversial Governments in recent history. Ousted by Alan Millburn in the …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: 05/05/05: The Election : SCOTLAND AT THE BALLOT - I Was a Great Admirer of John Smith, and Gordon Is the Kind of Politician Who Gives Politics a Good Name ...He Cares about the Right Issues; BROWN'S BLUE EYED BOY DOUGLAS IS LABOUR'S BRIGHT YOUNG THING. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Mirror (London, England). Publication date: April 27, 2005. Page number: 26. © 2009 MGN LTD. COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.