Ex-minister Douglas Alexander plans return as Labour MP

Former minister under Blair and Brown has applied to be candidate for East Lothian, sources confirm

The Labour former cabinet minister Douglas Alexander is understood to be standing again as an MP at the next election in the latest sign of Labour “big beasts” returning to frontline politics.

Sources confirmed to the Guardian that Alexander, who held three cabinet posts under prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, had submitted his application to be the party’s candidate in East Lothian.