The Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, responding to Alistair Darling’s decision to stand down as an MP at the next general election, said:

“Alistair Darling has distinguished himself as an extraordinary public servant. A servant of the Labour Party, a servant of Scotland and a servant of the United Kingdom.

“He played a crucial role in helping Labour into government in 1997. And then throughout Labour’s years in government he was a member of the Cabinet, playing a leading role in building a stronger, fairer country.

“From helping to get people back to work and tackling poverty, to building industrial prosperity, Alistair was a minister who showed both conviction and competence.

“He can also take pride that as Chancellor he helped steer our country through the worst financial crisis to hit the world in living memory. His was a calm head when calm heads were needed.‎

“When he could have left frontline politics, he took on the role as Chair of Better Together in the Scottish referendum campaign.

“He will always be remembered for leading and winning that campaign, and keeping Scotland in our United Kingdom.

“Alistair Darling is a man of values, decency and kindness. He will be much missed from the House of Commons.”

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