The nation mourns the loss of one of its most respected and admired politicians, Lord Alistair Darling, who died at the age of 70, according to a statement from his family.
Lord Darling was a key figure in the Labour government that swept to power in 1997, serving in various cabinet roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He is widely remembered as the chancellor who faced the unprecedented challenge of rescuing the UK economy from the brink of collapse during the 2008 global financial crisis.
He was praised for his calm and decisive leadership, as he orchestrated a series of bold and controversial measures, such as nationalising failing banks, injecting billions of pounds into the financial system, and cutting taxes and spending to stimulate growth.
His actions earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, his opponents, and the public, as he managed to restore stability and confidence in the UK economy, while avoiding the worst effects of the recession that hit many other countries.
Lord Darling was also a passionate advocate for the union of the United Kingdom, playing a prominent role in the campaign against Scottish independence in 2014. He was made a life peer in 2015, and continued to be an influential voice on economic and political issues until his death.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and their two children, Calum and Anna. He will be remembered as a man of integrity, courage, and vision, who dedicated his life to serving his country and its people.