Can Labour really hope to keep Jack out of Africa?

Published Date: 22 August 2008 GORDON Brown is still hopeful Jack McConnell will not take up his post as High Commissioner to Malawi. So say Labour insiders, who told The Scotsman they were pulling out all the stops to try to make the former First Minister realise that his country and his party need him. With the potential loss of Glenrothes in the expected autumn by-election, the last thing the PM wants is another contest in Motherwell and Wishaw. But one thing could stand in the Brownites' way. Final approval for all foreign postings is given by the Foreign Office. Ultimately, it could be up to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, who is not short of ambition to lead the party, to make the final call. No surprises, then, if Mr Miliband has already organised Mr McConnell's vaccinations. After a long search, Labour hopes to... [read full story]