Labour MP steps aside in Edinburgh South

The race in the Edinburgh South constituency has been thrown open after Labour candidate and sitting MP Nigel Griffiths announced he will not stand at this year's general election.

Griffiths, who has held the seat for 23 years, told party activists that he still believed Labour would hold the seat, but the decision has provoked a flurry of activity from both Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates.

The Lib Dems came close to toppling Griffiths at the last election, losing out by only 405 votes. Candidate Fred Mackintosh said: “Edinburgh South deserves better than Labour and I feel confident that the electors of Edinburgh South will see that I am the local champion they need to speak up for them in Parliament.

"I am not complacent, but I have been out calling on local people two or three nights each week for the past fourteen months and every indication is that people are switching to me and the Liberal Democrats in sufficient quantities for me to win whenever the election is called."

The Conservatives see Edinburgh south as a key prospect in Scotland, and are tipped to make the competition for the seat they lost to Labour in 1987 a three-way race.

Griffiths was embroiled in scandal last year after admitting to an extra-marital relationship, which was exposed after a Sunday newspaper published photographs of him in his commons office with a naked brunette.

He was also involved in the expenses row after a £3,600 claim for TV equipment—which Griffiths argued he needed to keep up with Scottish news—was rejected.

After a slump in Labour's standing in the polls, it was suggested that Griffiths could finish as low as third in the constituency.

Conservative candidate Neil Hudson told The Journal: “His departure comes as no surprise as it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Conservatives are now in such a strong position in Edinburgh South that most people believe Labour were going to lose the seat anyway.”

"People are realising that this is a straight choice between David Cameron and Gordon Brown and as a result are turning to the Conservatives to oust Labour.

"Edinburgh South is one of the most important seats in the country. A Conservative victory here could decide who wins the British Election." 

Most bookmakers offering odds on the constituency have installed Hudson as favourite, with William Hill offering odds of 5/4 compared to 6/4 on the Lib Dems. Labour ranked third at 7/2.

Griffiths has denied his decision was based on a belief that the party would struggle at the election, saying: “Labour will hold South Edinburgh, given Labour’s excellent track record in our capital city and the slump in Liberal Democrat support.

“There is no evidence of any surge for the Tories here,” adding that he wanted to allow adequate time for a replacement to be found before the election.

It is expected that as many as 150 sitting MPs will stand down from their position at the next election.

Amongst other Labour MP’s to announce their retirement from the Commons are West Dumbartonshire MP John McFall, who along with Griffiths is seen as a strong ally of Gordon Brown.