Alistair Darling seat at risk, says new poll

A new poll has put Labour at a new low in Scotland with Better Together leader Alistair Darling at risk of losing his Edinburgh South West seat in next year’s Westminster elections.

Alistair Darling's seat could be at risk. Picture: John Devlin

The poll shows Scottish Labour at a new low of 27 per cent support, which would see the party crash from 41 seats to just 16 north of the Border.

Meanwhile the commission tasked with producing a cross-party deal on more powers for the Scottish Parliament must start from scratch rather than fudge a compromise, according to Labour former First Minister Jack McConnell.

He said the first talks chaired by Lord Smith of Kelvin, due to take place tomorrow, would set the tone for discussion. Lord McConnell said: “I hope he will note the proposals from the different parties, but then start a discussion on the basic principles that should then determine what is delivered.”

His comments came as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg likened Alex Salmond to a Japanese Second World War soldier fighting on in the jungle after the war was over. He urged the First Minister to “call it a day” on the prospect of a second referendum by accepting the will of the Scottish people to stay part of the UK.