LABOUR must wonder what there is in the air of Falkirk that gives rise to more than its fair share of internal controversies.
First there was Dennis Canavan, who after a long-running feud with Tony Blair over Labour policies on issues such as tuition fees and benefit cuts resigned his Falkirk West Westminster seat in 2000.
The stand-off led to Mr Canavan standing as an independent to beat the official Labour candidate in the Scottish Parliament race, a move that earned him automatic expulsion from the party.
His replacement at Westminster, Eric Joyce, is perhaps best know for his repeated brushes with the law under the influence of drink.
As the party's leader Ed Miliband attempted to grapple with the latest crisis yesterday, the Camelon Labour Party Social Club in Falkirk was eerily quiet.
The sole member supped his beer and was more interested in Andy Murray's impending semi-final clash at Wimbledon. He wasn't a Labour man.
On the street, however, the Falkirk plague was not lost on Labour supporters.
Craig Rennie, 46, who has voted Labour for more than 20 years, said he was perplexed by what he admitted could be described as the curse of Falkirk.
The mechanic said: "After all that happened with Dennis Canavan and Eric Joyce I would think the hierarchy would wonder what is going on up here. But really this just needs to be sorted quickly to stop the Tories gloating, and I am sure it will be."
Brian Campbell, 39, who voted Labour in the last two elections said: "A curse? I am not sure about that. All that matters is that Ed Miliband just deals with it for the sake of the party and I am sure he will. I have been impressed by the way he has handled things so far."
Another Labour supporter, Lewis Crichton, 28, said: "I think this is an opportunity for Ed Miliband to show what he is made of. The headlines are not welcome but I don't think, when we look back at it, it will be anything other than a blip."
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