Alexander hints at Westminster

Published on Friday 24 May 2002 01:00

WENDY Alexander has ruled out a return to front-line Scottish politics, telling friends her sudden resignation from the cabinet was a declaration she had "retired" from it.

The former enterprise minister is just 37 and her dramatic language has stoked speculation she intends to pursue a career at Westminster.

Ms Alexander has told powerful allies in the Labour Party in London that her sudden decision to quit the Scottish cabinet has "energised" her.

Ms Alexander described it as her "retirement" and said she would fill the time between now and the Scottish parliamentary elections next May writing policy documents.

"Wendy looked happy and sounded very positive indeed about what she had done. She described it as her retirement," one friend told The Scotsman last night.

"She didn’t say she would quit Scotland, but I got the distinct impression from her that her political future lies in London."

The friend said that Ms Alexander was "brimming with enthusiasm" about her plans to publish policy documents on how Labour can reform the public services.

Speculation that Ms Alexander, a key ally of Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, will attempt to transfer her career to London was intensified further after she was seen lunching with influential figures in Labour close to Tony Blair, the Prime Minister.

However, another friend said: "Wendy was in high spirits when she came to London. She only wanted to talk about her future and it didn’t sound as though she saw it in Edinburgh."

Ms Alexander’s decision to quit as enterprise and lifelong learning minister earlier this month shook the Scottish Executive.

Her friends hinted that sexism had played a significant role in her final decision, but indicated they expect Ms Alexander to stand again for Holyrood in 2003.