Labour dilemma

Jim Murphy should be celebrating. The backing of dinosaur-led unions for his opponents in the Scottish Labour leader contest is a big bonus for him and almost certainly ensures victory. The vast majority of union members took no part in the leadership contender choice.

Those around at the time will remember well the 1980s and the days of “suicide note” manifestos. A lurch to the Left now, as it was then, would be catastrophic for Labour and would ensure oblivion in Scotland.

What all the candidates should remember more than anything else is the fundamental difference between a Labour voter and a Labour activist.

The vast majority of Labour voters occupy the centre-left of politics and have no interest whatsoever in Trident and other pointless posturing.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh