Candidate selected to replace Alistair Darling in Edinburgh South West

Ricky Henderson has been selected as the to fight the Edinburgh South West seat as the Labour candidate for this year’s election. The seat is being vacated by retiring former Chancellor and Better Together chair Alistair Darling, who has been an MP since 1987.

Ricky Henderson, 53, has been a councillor in Edinburgh for 16 years. Speaking after the selection tonight, he said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen to succeed Alistair Darling as Labour’s candidate. He will be a very hard act to follow but I am looking forward to the campaign ahead. It will be hard work but I know Labour can hold this seat. The people of Edinburgh South West know that only by voting for Labour can they get eject David Cameron from Downing Street.”

Darling welcomed the news of Henderson’s selection, saying:

“My congratulations to Ricky on his selection. I know he will be an excellent candidate. He understands the constituency and will be a first class MP. I’ll be doing all I can to ensure he wins the seat for Labour in May.”

Darling leaves behind a Labour majority of 8,447 in the constituency – almost 14,000 over the SNP, who finished in fourth in 2010. Last year, over 60% of voters in Edinburgh voted against independence.