Leader who struggled from the start

By Andrew Black
Political reporter, BBC Scotland news website

It was only ever going to be game over for Wendy Alexander, as soon as the recommendation to ban her from parliament was made.

Ms Alexander was left with little choice after the ban recommendation

Her leadership of the Scottish Labour Party became untenable when the Scottish Parliament's standards committee made its decision to sanction her for not declaring donations to her leadership campaign.

Ms Alexander called the committee's decision "politically-motivated" and a "cynical abuse" of the parliamentary process.

No matter how much the SNP might deny that, the committee's three Nationalist MSPs and one Liberal Democrat voted for the sanction.

Others abstained.

She officially took up her post last September after a campaign in which no-one stood against her.

Labour was looking for a leader to rebuild it after the elections in which it lost power at Holyrood to the SNP.

The Nationalists were riding high and Labour needed to hit back.

Instead, its new figurehead got sucked into a donations saga which dominated her 10-month leadership.

First the illegal £950 donation from an offshore donor and then the late declaration of further cash gifts on her register of interests.

Ms Alexander was resilient in her refusal to stand down.

Tough place

She repeatedly pointed out that she acted on advice from Holyrood officials, and that she took action when it later emerged a breach had occurred.

Andy Kerr is a possible contender to replace Ms Alexander as leader

Labour MSP David Whitton said it did not matter whether Ms Alexander was banned from parliament for a second, a day, a week or a century, it was purely about ensuring she was "hung, drawn and quartered".

With Labour's decades-long dominance of the Scottish political landscape ended by the Nationalists, Labour has been in a tough enough place without the donations row.

Deputy leader Cathy Jamieson has now taken control of the party for the second time since the departure of former first minister Jack McConnell.

And the potential replacements - Andy Kerr, Tom McCabe - even Ms Jamieson herself - are the same people who ruled themselves out the last time, allowing Ms Alexander to be elected unopposed.

The party will have to think hard about whether this time a proper contest is needed.

One thing is for sure - Scottish politics has not seen the last of Wendy Alexander.

She will stay on to represent the constituents of Paisley North: "For as long as they entrust me with their support."