Labour's fifth choice and last hope

Whilst Labour's feet are now riddled with bullet holes, it should be very good news to them that Margaret Curran is standing in Glasgow East. She is by far the most electable of any of the names bandied around, and it's unfortunate that the most sensible decision the party have made in ages should be mired in confusion and politicking.

Of course if the SNP take the seat, it would mark a fatal nadir for Labour UK's fortunes. Defeat wouldn't be because the candidate is unknown, unpopular, or uninteresting, as it could have been had any of the others stood. The loss of heartland Glasgow East would be Gordon Brown's loss, and it's hard to see him surviving a week after sustaining such a blow.

Alas for him, a victory would not necessarily be his victory - he has little to gain and everything to lose here.

The Scottish branch can maybe afford to be more positive. Scottish Labour desperately needs to define itself, partly in contrast to Labour UK. Curran can only win in Glasgow East by going back to Labour basics, which she will, and stuff London.

I don't think her status as an MSP will do any harm, mainly because Mr Salmond MP MSP's SNP won't be able to get any leverage out of it (although Bill Kidd audaciously accused Labour of "offering one parlimentarian for the price of two").

What's more, a victory on her terms may set her in good stead to become Scottish party leader, and of all the possible candidates for leader, she's the one who might get Labour moving again.

So in a couple of months we could have the two biggest parties in Scotland led by MSP-MPs of considerable stature, vastly contrasting styles and, more importantly, clear and differing visions for Scotland.

In short, it would be game on.