Minister quits: Reaction

Wendy Alexander: "Hard act to follow"

Opposition leaders have criticised Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell for surrounding himself with "cronies" as they react to the resignation of Wendy Alexander from the Cabinet.

Her post as enterprise, transport and lifelong learning minister has been given to her deputy, Lewis Macdonald, until First Minister Jack McConnell chooses a permanent replacement.

Scottish Tories leader David McLetchie said: "It has been obvious for some time that Wendy Alexander has been deeply unhappy, ever since the election of Jack McConnell as first minister.

"Today marks the final parting of the ways.

"We now have a Cabinet entirely packed with Jack's cronies and Wendy Alexander now joins the Cabinet-in-exile on Labour's backbenches."

John Swinney: Minister "worked into the ground"

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said Ms Alexander had been "targetted" by Jack McConnell since he came to power.

"She was easily his most able minister but he wanted her out from the start," he said.

"As was widely predicted, she would appear to have been driven out to resignation by the cynical in-fighting at the top of the Labour Party with Jack McConnell surrounding himself with cronies and pushing any talent to the margins.

"Jack McConnell has driven her from his Cabinet by piling portfolio after portfolio in an attempt to work her into the ground."

'Distinguished contribution'

Deputy First Minister and Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Jim Wallace said he was "naturally disappointed" to learn of Ms Alexander's decision although he "understood and wholly respected" her reasons for doing so.

"She has made a very distinguished contribution, not least in promoting a forward-looking enterprise strategy for Scotland, one which will continue to have the support of our partnership," he went on.

"I want to wish Wendy well as she goes to the backbenches, from where I am sure she will continue to make a contribution to civic life."

Outside parliament on Thursday

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said: "This is a personal decision and comes as a complete surprise.

"As a fellow woman politician I can understand the many pressures Wendy must have felt.

"We have shared ambitions to see Scotland's economic performance boosted through skills and enterprise, and that partnership is now showing fruit.

"She is one of the most talented politicians of her generation and whatever path her future career now takes wish her every success, but even more importantly, happiness."

'Temporary' hope

Bill Speirs, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, said: "We have worked very closely and well with Wendy, particularly in the development of a partnership approach to the expansion of the Scottish economy.

"She will be a loss and a hard act to follow, to say the least, and I hope that her stepping back from front line politics is temporary.

Robert Parker, regional secretary of GMB Scotland, described her as "a friend of the trade unions.

"Of course, Wendy has been a whirlwind and she will be a hard act to follow, but we look forward now with anticipation to working closely with the colleague who will replace her on the Scottish Executive," he added.

'Firm grasp'

Glasgow chamber of commerce chief executive Duncan Tannahill said he was "shocked and saddened" at her departure.

He said: "She had a firm grasp of the portfolio and understood the measures which the Scottish Executive required to take to assist business development and growth for Scottish economic prosperity.

A spokesman for CBI Scotland said: "Wendy Alexander was a minister who was well regarded in the business community and had very good links.

"The momentum she established on economic development and transport must be maintained."