Ms Moffat spins.

Mr Smith read with interest the reported comments from East Lothian Labour MP Anne Moffat in the Evening News regarding her disputed reselection as a Labour candidate for the next Westminster General Election, "I'm chuffed to bits that people in the party have not allowed themselves to be influenced by controversy and speculation and have supported me on my record."

Mr Smith notes that the article goes on to highlight the fact that of the six East Lothian branches, only two: Musselburgh and North Berwick, supported her re-selection. Tranent, Haddington and Dunbar refused to back her, and Prestonpans was tied. Mr Smith recognises that spin is the life blood of many of our elected representatives, but even spin needs some substance to be credible.

To not get the support of two thirds of the branches in your local party and have to rely on the support of trade union branches to be reselected is hardly something to view as an achievement surely, never mind something to be "chuffed" about. Over to the voters of East Lothian.