After the furore surrounding the treatment of Ian Murray, what is important is that he now finds himself in a position where he can do a lot of good for Scotland, says Herald columnist Brian Wilson

If ever there was a politician who did not deserve to have his name linked in headlines to the word “sacked”, it was Ian Murray. Popular, diligent, consistently electable even in times of adversity … what was there not to like?

Alas, Labour in Downing Street seems to suffer from an affliction that besets all modern parties where power is sniffed – too many smart young things who are not nearly as clever as they think they are and offer correspondingly crass advice.

The backlash against Mr Murray’s treatment produced an all-round satisfactory outcome. The storm having passed, I suspect he will be relieved to be out of the “goldfish bowl” (copyright, N. Sturgeon) of Scottish politics and invigorated by the roles he has been given, in two government departments where he can do a lot of good for Scotland.

Douglas Alexander is an experienced and skilful politician who knows his way round the corridors of power. He will make an excellent influencer within government and communicator on its behalf, particularly about what is being delivered for Scotland.

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