Dispute between MP and local party could hit Gray
By Tom Gordon and Paul Hutcheon

LABOUR rebels in Iain Gray's Scottish parliamentary constituency are threatening to field an independent candidate against the local MP at the next general election, in a move which would leave the Scottish leader's power base in chaos.

Senior activists in East Lothian, including former councillors and office-holders, are actively discussing running an "Independent Labour" candidate against MP Anne Moffat if the party moves to expel her opponents.

Such a candidate would be unlikely to win at a general election, but would almost certainly split the Labour vote and ensure that Moffat lost.

The move would also cost Gray a section of his campaign base, making it harder to defend his Holyrood seat in 2011. A swing of just 3.5% to the SNP would wipe out his 2448-vote majority.

The threat is the latest twist in a long-running feud between Moffat and local activists.

It is acutely embarrassing to Gray and to Jim Murphy, the new Scottish secretary, who was due to attend a fundraising dinner at Prestonpans Labour Club last night.

Last month, Labour bosses in London suspended the East Lothian Constituency Labour Party (ELCLP) after it passed a motion of no confidence in Moffat and accused her of bringing the party "into disrepute".

The no-confidence vote followed a row last year when Moffat, a former president of Unison, was reselected against the wishes of many locals, thanks to trade union votes.

Moffat claims she is the victim of "bullies" trying to drive her out because they do not like "strong women".

But several Labour MPs told the Sunday Herald her opponents were respected party workers. She had suffered as a result of her "arrogant" manner.

Labour's National Executive Committee is now to hold an inquiry into the ELCLP within the next fortnight.

But the inquiry's remit - Moffat's treatment by activists - has convinced many it is aimed at protecting the MP, not listening to grievances against her.

Moffat's friends make no secret of their desire for "a purge" of her opponents.

One senior Labour figure in East Lothian told the Sunday Herald dozens of activists would back a rival to Moffat even if it meant leaving Labour.

"If the party decides to carry out expulsions then there will be an independent candidate, I can assure you of that. It would be huge. The party would just fall.

"The biggest casualty in all this would be Iain Gray.

"At the next Scottish parliament election Iain could lose the seat because his base would be gone. He wouldn't have the backing of the main people within the constituency, because we would be out of the party.

"His credibility would also fall, because people would look at what was happening in his own party and start asking questions. It's very sad. We're proud to have someone like Iain here. He's a really good MSP."