In the days following Johann Lamont’s departure as leader of the Scottish Labour Party, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown ruled himself out of the demanding job. We asked people on the streets of Alloa if they felt he would have been the best person for the role.

Gordon Stanners from Clackmannan, “No. It would have been a come down for him. He’s not the man for the job, because he didn’t do enough when he was in the government, either as Chancellor or Prime Minister.” Susan Morrison from Alloa said, “I don’t think he was absolutely awful. He got left with a bit of a mess to clean up. I don’t think he would be the right person, but don’t know who would be the right person.” Alan Smart from Clackmannan said, “He’d be better than Jim Murphy. If Labour’s best bet is to rely on a failed Prime Minister that’s retired, it tells me they are finished.” Shaun Mclelland from Alloa said, “Without a doubt because he has Scotland at his heart.”