24 November 2006
Wendy Alexander, who resigned from Jack McConnell's Cabinet four years ago, has returned to Labour's front line as convener of Holyrood's powerful finance committee.
She was appointed this week in succession to Des McNulty, who has become deputy minister for communities in a mini-reshuffle, following the resignation of Peter Peacock, the education minister, for health reasons.
Alexander, once seen as a potential first minister, disappointed her supporters when she did not pursue nomination for the post after the resignation of Henry McLeish five years ago. She had been regarded as the main challenger to McConnell.
Alexander was appointed as enterprise minister in McConnell's first Cabinet but resigned six months later.
She is seen as one of Scotland's most talented MSPs and, as a member of the finance committee, has an impressive knowledge of public finance issues.
The elder sister of transport secretary and Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander, she has also been given the Labour Party role of making the economic case for Scotland, and arguing against independence in the run-up to the Scottish Parliament election in May.
A spokesman for the first minister said: 'She was the obvious choice for Labour's nomination for chair of the finance committee, and she is also going to play a more active role in Labour's election campaign.'
Professor Arthur Midwinter, budget adviser to the finance committee, told Public Finance: 'She is the leading politician of her generation and will bring great experience and insight into the work of the finance committee.'
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