Responding to the resignation of Wendy Alexander as Scottish Labour Leader, Liberal Democrat Party President, Simon Hughes said:

“Today is a very sad day for Wendy Alexander, and another very sad day for Labour. 

“Two by-elections lost already in this Parliament, third place in this May’s local elections, their worst ever opinion poll ratings and an unprecedented fifth place for a governing party in a UK by-election all add up to a deeper and deeper political hole for the Labour Party. 

“Labour’s period of government has ended in Scotland, it is conditional on alliances in Wales, and now it looks more and more likely to end at the next general election for Westminster.

“The other lesson here is clear.  Rules are rules and all politicians have to comply with them or risk losing their jobs."