The Western Isles Labour Party has paid tribute to Alistair Darling as a “son of Lewis” who saved the country “not once but twice.”
Mr Darling, who died aged 70 after a short illness, had a strong connection to the Western Isles.
He spent much of his free time at the home in Great Bernera, Lewis, the family inherited from his island-born mother.
Torcuil Crichton, Labour candidate for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, described the former chancellor as “one of the most decent men I have ever met in politics.”
He added: “Alistair was very proud of his island roots and he and his wife Maggie found solace and escape from the pressures of politics there. He passing is a great loss to the Labour family but also to the island community and to the country.
“He had the distinction of saving the economy when the banks took the country to the brink of the cliff in the 2008 financial crisis and then he stepped up to the plate again during the 2014 referendum where his trusted voice was key to the success of the Better Together campaign.”
Torcuil added: “Alistair’s calm wisdom and experience in crisis would have been an incredible source of counsel to an incoming Labour government which we will not now have.
“He was a son of Lewis who leaves an incredible record of public service to his country and he was one of the most honourable and decent men I have ever met in politics.”
The Western Isles Labour party extended its sympathies to Maggie, his wife, and his children Calum and Anna.
Tribute to ‘son of Lewis’ Alistair Darling
1 December 2023
