Introduction
Former Chancellor Alistair Darling has sadly passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind his grieving family, including his two children. Let's take a closer look at who Anna and Callum Darling are.
Alistair Darling's Kids
Alistair Darling had two children during his lifetime - a son named Callum and a daughter named Anna. The veteran politician, who famously led the Treasury during the financial crisis from 2007 to 2010, passed away on November 30, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.
A Heartfelt Statement
A statement issued on behalf of Darling's wife and children expressed their grief and announced his passing. The statement described Alistair Darling as a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and a long-serving member of the Labour cabinet. It also mentioned that he died after receiving care at the Western General Hospital from the cancer team.
Tributes from Leaders
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed his deep sadness upon hearing the news and offered his condolences to the family, especially Darling's wife Margaret and their children Calum and Anna. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also paid tribute to Alistair Darling, acknowledging his contributions as one of the great Chancellors and expressing his sympathies to the family.
Anna and Callum Darling
Anna and Callum Darling are the children of Alistair Darling and his wife Margaret. Unlike their famous father, the siblings have chosen to stay out of the public eye. Alistair Darling leaves behind an impressive legacy and a successful career in politics.
A Remarkable Career
Alistair Darling joined the Labour party at the young age of 23 in 1977 and later became a solicitor in 1978. He was elected to the Lothian Regional Council in 1982 before entering the House of Commons. In 1987, Darling won the Edinburgh Central seat in a general election, marking the beginning of his parliamentary career.
Leading the Treasury
Gordon Brown appointed Alistair Darling as Chancellor of the Exchequer when he became Prime Minister in 2007. Darling's promotion to this position was widely anticipated by the media. Notably, his four junior ministers at the Treasury were all female and were playfully referred to as "Darling's Darlings" by journalists.
Success in the Scottish Independence Vote
Alistair Darling also led the Better Together campaign, which successfully won the Scottish independence vote in 2014. His efforts played a crucial role in maintaining the union between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Margaret, Darling's Wife
Alistair Darling was married twice in his life. While he has never publicly spoken about his first wife, he was married to Margaret McQueen Vaughan from 1986 until his passing. Margaret is a former journalist who worked for Radio Forth, the Daily Record, and the Glasgow Herald before Labour's election victory in 1997.
