Why I am voting Labour

This is a bastard election full of bastard choices. In such circumstances some triage is required. Once everything that is impossible has been eliminated what remains must, for tomorrow at least, be the truth.

Which is why, as I wrote in today’s Times, I shall be voting Labour.

For the first time. Ever.

It is not a vote cast lightly or with much confidence. But though my constituency, Edinburgh North and Leith, has an admirable Tory candidate the sorry truth is that he cannot win tomorrow. This being the case, it is not illogical to vote for the least bad candidate who might have a chance of prevailing. In this instance, that is the Labour candidate.

It will probably not be enough. It seems likely that the SNP will win this seat just as they are likely to win the great majority of Scottish constituencies tomorrow. Which means, I think, it is incumbent upon those of us who do not want the SNP to win the great majority of Scottish constituencies to do whatever little we can to prevent that happening.