24 June 2007
IT'S YOU DARLING

He'll be new Chancellor
By Brian Lironi Political Editor

[align=left]ALISTAIR Darling will be named Chancellor of the Exchequer as Gordon Brown gives top jobs to three Scottish big hitters in his first cabinet.
Darling's old post as Trade and Industry Secretary will be given to Douglas Alexander.
And Defence Secretary Des Browne is to become Secretary of State in a new Department of the Nations.
Browne will oversee devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - though critics are expected to portray the move as a demotion.
The 55-year-old's departure from Defence was predicted after he allowed sailors captured by Iran to sell their stories to the Press.
But friends of the incoming Prime Minister say he wants a top figure in the new job who can take on First Minister Alex Salmond in Scotland and ensure that the power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland gets what it needs from London.

The promotions for Darling and Alexander are set to draw criticism from the Tories and the English press that there are too many Scots in Brown's Cabinet.

But a source in the Brown camp said: "These three are among the most talented people in the government.

"Some peoplewill try to make something of the promotions for Scots but with John Reid leaving, there are fewer Scots than before. And they have all proven that they are excellent ministers who deserve their place in Gordon's government."

Bookies William Hill yesterday stopped taking bets on Darling for Chancellor. He is married to Scots journalist Maggie Vaughan and was nicknamed Badger until he shaved off the black beard which clashed with his silver hair.

Darling, 53, has experience in the Treasury, working as Chief Secretary between May 1997 and July 1998. Since then, he has also been Transport Secretary, Scots Secretary, Pensions Minister and Social Security Mminister.

The former advocate is regarded in government circles as the most cautious minister in the cabinet.

Alexander, 39, is used to getting Darling's old jobs - he replaced him in transport and at the Scotland Office. He will be given a new-look Department of Trade and Industry.

Responsibility for energy policy will go to the Department of the Environment, likely to be led by David Miliband.

The job of Scotland Minister is expected to go to David Cairns, Alexander's number two in the Scotland Office.

Darling will be the ninth Scottish chancellor and the third in the last 15 years. The others were: William Murray, Charles Ritchie, Andrew Bonar Law, Robert Horne, John Anderson, Iain MacLeod, Norman Lamont and Gordon Brown.

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postmandave Reviewed by postmandave on . Brown takes more scots on board 24 June 2007 IT'S YOU DARLING He'll be new Chancellor By Brian Lironi Political Editor ALISTAIR Darling will be named Chancellor of the Exchequer as Gordon Brown gives top jobs to three Scottish big hitters in his first cabinet. Darling's old post as Trade and Industry Secretary will be given to Douglas Alexander. And Defence Secretary Des Browne is to become Secretary of State in a new Department of the Nations. Browne will oversee devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Rating: 5