Alistair Darling memorial: Tony Blair, JK Rowling and Sir Keir Starmer among mourners at Edinburgh service | UK News

Dec 19, 2023 | Uncategorized


Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling has been remembered at a public memorial service in Edinburgh, attended by the likes of Tony Blair, Sir Keir Starmer and author JK Rowling.

The Labour leaders past and present were joined by colleagues including Mr Blair’s fellow ex-PM Gordon Brown, current shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Ruth Davidson, former leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, and former Tory chancellor George Osborne were also seen making their way into the cathedral.

Rowling wasn’t the only famous face from the literary world present either, as Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin paid his respects.

Pic: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
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JK Rowling attending Tuesday morning’s service Pic: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Former prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Brown attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Former prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Brown

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (right) attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Broadcaster Andrew Marr was seen taking a seat shortly before the service too.

Mr Darling died on 30 November, aged 70, after a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer.

The service followed a private cremation, which took place on Monday.

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Ian Rankin (right) attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Ian Rankin (right) arriving at the cathedral

Andrew Marr (centre) attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Andrew Marr (centre)

Piper Finlay MacDonald provided music before the service began and a choir then sang hymns In The Bleak Midwinter, Love Divine and Jerusalem.

Shadow chancellor Ms Reeves delivered one of the eulogies, and others were read by Mr Darling’s children, Anna and Calum, and his friend and former Labour minister Brian Wilson.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair (second left) and his wife Cherie Blair attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Darling. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
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Former Prime Minister Tony Blair (second left) and his wife Cherie Blair attending the memorial service

Shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves reads a eulogy during the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reads a eulogy

George Osborne attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling
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George Osborne

Mr Darling served as a Labour MP between 1987 and 2015. He was chancellor during the turbulent 2008 financial crisis and widely credited for his “calmness in a crisis”.

Former prime minister Mr Brown described him as a “statesman of unimpeachable integrity whose life was defined by a strong sense of social justice”.

He added: “I, like many, relied on his wisdom, calmness in a crisis and his humour.”

Former Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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Former Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson

Joanna Cherry attending the memorial service of Alistair Darling at Edinburgh's St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The former chancellor of the exchequer died on November 30, aged 70, following a stay in hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Picture date: Tuesday December 19, 2023.
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SNP MP Joanna Cherry

Mr Darling’s death prompted tributes from across the political spectrum, with First Minister Humza Yousaf describing him as a “giant” of Scottish politics.

Mr Darling is survived by his wife, Maggie and his two children.



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