A bit of variation from the weighty national matters of the moment comes in the form of this welcome news from Edinburgh, where Kevin Lang has an excellent chance of winning the Westminster Parliamentary seat from Labour:

John Loughton, the winner of Big Brother and former Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, has joined the Scottish Liberal Democrats and today announced his backing for Kevin Lang to become the new MP for his home constituency of Edinburgh North & Leith.

John won Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in January 2008 and served as the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He went on to serve as a member of the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution and more recently on the Literacy Commission.

He lives in North Edinburgh, where he grew up and stood himself as an independent candidate in a council by-election in Edinburgh last year. More recently, John has taken up a role as a Policy and Communications Manager for a national youth charity.

Speaking about his decision to join the Scottish Liberal Democrats, John said,

“It is clear that in a time where the gap between politics and people has never been wider and the sting of inequality has never been more painful, Scotland and the UK need change. Despite previous Labour, Tory and SNP rule, we still suffer one in four children growing up in poverty, still condemn our soldiers to fight in unwanted wars, still con the poorest to pay the most in our tax system and still see many bankers, bureaucrats and politicians indulge in self-interest.

“It is time for a fairer Scotland and UK. We all have a responsibility to vote for change, and I believe that the Lib Dems have the right national policies, ideas and drive to help tackle the recession and offer voters a fresh start for a fairer country.

“I am also delighted to support Kevin Lang and his campaign in my own home constituency of Edinburgh North & Leith. Kevin cares about this community and would stand up for those who have been let down for too long, both locally and across the UK. He has a real chance of winning at the next election and I look forward to campaigning with him over the coming months.”

Kevin Lang said,

“John’s work through in the Scottish Youth Parliament and Calman Commission has given him real national standing. He is also a champion for the local communities here in North Edinburgh, which is why I am so honoured to have his support in the upcoming election.

“More and more people are switching to back the Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh North & Leith. We are the clear challengers to Labour in this constituency and the only party with real momentum as we head into election year.”