Leader: Fringe campsite

NOT for the first time, Festival chiefs are looking at canvas as an answer to the accommodation problems that hit the Capital every year.

The city council came close to going ahead with a "tent city" plan in 2006 after the success of a campsite for 2,500 G8 protesters at the Jack Kane Centre the year before.

But plans for an annual low-cost Festivals version were abandoned amid concerns among residents around possible sites including Silverknowes, Sighthill Park and Hunters Hall Park.

Those who now want to revive the scheme are conscious that similar concerns may arise today – and the strength of local objections would surely rule out the use of The Meadows, for example.

Such concerns would be entirely understandable, and any scheme would have to keep noise and litter levels under control over a tenure that could span six weeks.

But there is no doubt that accommodation levels are a serious problem each August – and that rival arts festivals will pounce if Edinburgh becomes too busy for comfort.

That is why the latest campsite ideas have to be looked at seriously, especially if a private firm can be persuaded to look at a venture which could put money in city coffers.

A welcome move

BEFORE the general election one of the few sitting MPs the News felt able to back unambiguously was Alistair Darling.

We noted that he had not only served the city well as an MP for 23 years, but as Chancellor of the Exchequer he had generally made the right calls in dealing with the economic downturn.

If nothing else, we said he might make an effective leader – albeit probably an interim one – as the party came to terms with its inevitable electoral defeat.

Darling has now confirmed that he not only won't contest the leadership, he won't be a contender for any front bench position in opposition.

As a backbencher with 13 years of experience at the heart of government, he will be in demand as a director and consultant to many firms willing to pay well to tap into his expertise and contacts.

But he says that he intends to concentrate on the Edinburgh South West constituents who kept faith with him even when the country as a whole rejected Labour. Given his track record, we can only believe him and welcome that pledge.