THIS week the Borders will join the rest of the UK and head to the polls for the 2024 general election.
As part of the Border Telegraph's election coverage, we invited candidates in the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency to answer four questions to help highlight their goals if elected.
We asked for their views on independence, the Borders Railway, and the biggest issues facing the region.
David Wilson, SNP
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. The biggest issue affecting Borderers is the Tory made cost-of-living crisis. Hardworking people are struggling to pay their bills, feed their families and, come winter, will again struggle to heat their homes. SNP MPs are committed to demanding an emergency budget to address austerity, cost-of-living and boost economic growth.
The biggest issue affecting the Borders as a region is depopulation. We have an ageing and falling population. We need targeted, skilled immigration to allow our businesses and public services to fill vacant positions and drive investment in local infrastructure, housing and transport.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. I believe the needs of the people of Scotland are best served by the people who live here. Scotland, in almost every election and referendum, has not voted in the same way as the majority of the UK. This tells me our wants, needs and priorities differ to those of our friends across these isles. We have a diverse economy, world class universities and research and vast energy resources. Independence allows us to harness these to create a better future for our country, this and much more is why I believe in Scottish Independence.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. The sole purpose of SNP MPs is to represent and fight for the communities we serve. Career politicians wed to their party line and future goals serve only themselves and their party. Standing for election isn’t something I ever intended to do, but like most people, I have lost faith and trust in the majority of politicians. I aim to show that anyone can make positive change given the right motivations. As your MP I will amplify your voice, fight for the causes that matter most to the Borders and be a visible and approachable MP for all who live here.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. Extending the Borders Railway should be of the highest priority to anyone elected to represent the Borders and to the UK and Scottish Governments and local authority. All over the Borders constituents tell me how difficult it is to get around. Some talk of isolation and difficulty doing simple things like shopping or visiting friends. The extension of the Borders Railway continues the progress made up to Tweedbank and opens the Borders up to tourism, reduces community isolation and helps to tackle the climate crisis.
Caitlin Stott, Scottish Labour
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. Everyone reading this will either be on a waiting list or know someone on one. And it’s not staff’s fault, it’s the politicians who have mismanaged our health service. The issue raised again and again by people on doorsteps is the state of our NHS. I can understand why – there seems to have been crisis after crisis. Financial deficits, emergency departments full, lengthy waiting times, notably for children who need help with mental health, and now the threat of closure of beds at our community hospitals. People here deserve more than the excuses of two failing governments – they deserve the world-class service that I believe the NHS can be through delivery of investment in the NHS from a Labour government, with funding for 160,000 additional appointments to cut waiting times.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. I’m not a supporter of independence but I think that this question would be better put to the SNP leadership – it seems to be slipping further and further down their to-do list!
I believe that Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk deserves a strong voice at the heart of a Labour government in a devolved system. The people of Scotland are crying out for change. We’re tired of the sleaze; we’re tired of the chaos. We’re tired of the failure to grow our economy and protect our public services. After 14 years of Tory chaos and failure this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. Polls here show that my party is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to years of governments who are failing to deliver for people in the Borders. I’m not taking that for granted and I will fight hard for every vote I’m privileged to gain. But this year, it’s a straight choice between a broken status quo, or change with me as a strong voice for the Borders at the heart of a Labour government. Labour will make work pay, bring down energy bills, create jobs and protect our public services.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. The Borders Railway has been a huge success, bringing much needed tourism and visitor opportunities, as well as showing what a vibrant public transport service can do to transform the economy of an area. I think it’s been a great start but I agree that extending it has to be a priority. Any plan which grows the local economy, delivers sustainable connectivity and brings job and tourists here has got to be high up on the agenda. I support the powerful case for an extension not just as far south as Hawick but to Carlisle and beyond.
John Lamont, Scottish Conservatives
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. I've set out positive plans to tackle a range of people's top priorities, such as fixing the roads, reducing NHS waiting lists, creating good local jobs, improving broadband speeds, and investing in public services. But right now, I'd say the biggest issue facing the Borders is the potential closure of the four community hospitals in Kelso, Duns, Hawick and Peebles. More than 4,000 local residents have joined my campaign to save the hospitals. I will keep fighting hard to protect our local health services by urging the SNP Government and NHS Borders to provide more resources so the hospitals remain open.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. I campaigned passionately for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom in the 2014 Independence Referendum. I still strongly believe Scotland is better off when we work together on our shared priorities across our United Kingdom. I will always stand up for the majority of the Borders who want Scotland to remain united. We must reject the SNP's divisive push for independence which is a distraction from getting action on the issues that really matter to local people. I want the next five years to be all about improving the Borders, not talking about independence.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. I will always put the Borders first. I live locally and I'm proud of where we call home. I think the Borders is the best place to live and work anywhere in Scotland or the UK. But I will also campaign tirelessly to improve local services, bring more investment into our communities, and deliver more jobs for the Borders. The choice here is between me and the SNP candidate. I believe I'm the best choice for the Borders because I will always focus 100 per cent on the issues that really matter to you, not on independence.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. I've been working hard with local campaigners to get the Borders Railway extended to Hawick, Newcastleton and onto Carlisle. I'm doing everything I can to keep making the positive case for the extension and was delighted to help secure the funding for the feasibility study. I firmly believe the extension of the Borders Railway would be a game-changer for our local area. It would create jobs, give a boost to small businesses and help our economy to grow. The Borders Railway should be high on the agenda, alongside improvements to the local bus network, repairing potholes and more funding to fix roads like the A68, A7 and A1.
Ray Georgeson MBE, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. Housing is a critical issue in many ways. SBC just declared a ‘housing emergency’ and recently five available flats in Kelso had over 100 applications for the tenancies. We’re short of houses for people to downsize into, short of adapted houses for older folk, short of key worker housing, short of three to four bedroom homes for larger families and affordable starters for new families. We also need to give priority to foster carers on housing lists. Housing subsidy has been reduced by 24 per cent by the SNP, we must address this and build low-carbon affordable homes fit for the future.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. Opposed. It is now a distraction from tackling the real priorities where the SNP is failing – climate change, NHS waiting lists, education attainment, rural public transport and more. The fiscal deficit post-independence would lead to massive cuts in public services or big tax rises. Exiting the UK single market makes no sense, cross-border trade would be disrupted, and customs and border checks would be hard to realistically avoid. The liberal approach would devolve more power to Scotland, to councils and communities and protect the best of the union, including coherent defence of the nation.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. I’m not a career politician seeking power for powers’ sake, but I want to see and deliver change that improves quality of life in the Borders. I love where we live, and will bring my previous experience in elected office, and from my work, and a ‘real life’ approach to championing our area, listening to you and campaigning on issues that matter for a sustainable future for our children. I’m not lobby fodder for a government machine, I will be focused on getting a fair deal for the Borders from whoever is in power and making waves on your behalf.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. Very high indeed. The Borders Railway would be a key driver of economic development along the route with wider impact across the Borders in terms of boosting tourism and business investment. It needs to be connected well with improved and integrated bus services and active travel links to encourage low-carbon travel for health, sustainability and climate benefits. There must be no more dither and delay from UK and Scottish Governments, they really need to get on with the feasibility work. This will be the first question I ask of the new transport secretary if I am elected.
Neil Mackinnon, Scottish Greens
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. The biggest issue affecting the Borders and the planet as a whole is the climate crisis. People are rightly concerned about the state of the NHS and the Tory cost of living crisis but without a viable planet to live on this is all meaningless. The hottest 12 months in the last 100,000 years were the last 12 and this will continue unless drastic measures are taken. More extreme weather will mean food shortages, increased numbers of climate refugees and loss of biodiversity – this needs to be addressed now. Without prompt action on this nothing else we do will matter.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. I am very pro-independence as is the Scottish Green Party as a whole. In my opinion the UK is too right leaning and in thrall to the likes of Farage to ever elect the kind of politicians who will take meaningful steps to tackle climate change. The privatisation of the NHS in the UK also seems inevitable, with Labour unwilling to reduce the involvement of private companies in the health sector.
An independent Scotland, with a smaller, more socially progressive population, would be more likely to vote for the kind of policies that can have a real effect on the country’s impact on climate change. As well as ensuring a fairer society, while keeping the NHS free at the point of use for us all.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. I was brought up in the Borders and have lived here most of my life so I know the Borders well. I love the area and want to see it prosper and improve. I became a local councillor to try to give something back to my area and would like to be able to do more. Current UK government policies, with the highest tax burden on hardworking people since WWII, are harming the people of the Borders where we have some of the lowest average wages in the country. Having the Tories in power has not helped the region over the last 14 years and it is time for a change. The Scottish Green Party would introduce a wealth tax on the 1 per cent to generate over £70billion for the NHS and other public services which would benefit all those living in the Borders as well as the country as a whole.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. The widespread closure of the railways in the 60s has shown to have been a mistake, driving more cars onto the roads. The closure of the line from Edinburgh to Carlisle was the most hotly contested at the time and should never have gone ahead. The reinstatement of this line south, through Hawick, should be at the top of any incoming government’s agenda, as should other rail building projects. Reinstating the line would have great positives for the Borders as a whole and would help to connect us more fully to the rest of the country and bring increased prosperity to our region. At the same time the entire line should be electrified to decrease both journey times and the carbon impact of the railway.
Ellie Merton, Independent
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. Being able to afford to live. Daily costs like food, phones, TV, broadband, energy, fuel, travel, appliances, building materials – all exorbitant. Incomes and benefits have not kept pace with cost hikes. Most Borderers, even in well-paid jobs, are scraping by, balancing staying warm against credit card repayments. Debt and arrears piling up are the top hidden problem for far too many locals. Food bank reliance is painfully high in all parts of the constituency. Headline causes for this dire state are 14 years of growth-crippling Conservative government austerity with cuts to vital public spending and gross fiscal incompetence, and Brexit.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. Fabulously, Scotland is a sovereign country within the union of nations that is the United Kingdom. Scotland has been an independent state for more of its history than part of Britain, but constitutional arrangements the British Isles have enjoyed since the Acts of Union in 1707 have brought huge benefits across all borders with England and (now) Northern Ireland. Since Brexit (UK now a third-party state outside the EU) Scotland is now reliant on Westminster – Capital Grant, policy, services, trade – and for a generation will be unable to create the conditions where leaving the UK would be sensible or possible.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. I adore the Borders. As an English migrant, I’ve always loved the area but only been able to move here after a life working back-office in London in a broad array of industries. The Borders has supported me so much and I want to give back by helping the region strengthen. I’ve always been an independent, non-aligned, but always worked cross party on issues I care about. Being free from party censorship and intimidation, I speak my mind, have policies and ideas that centre entirely on constituents, and have the freedom to roam Westminster and Whitehall to get things done.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. Rebuilding local railway infrastructure is a no-brainer. As part of a package of vital improvements for domestic travel and ease of movement in the area, extending the Borders Railway has to be top of the priority list. We also need more stations opened on the Newcastle to Edinburgh line, and rapid road resurfacing investment. Trains and trams are the way forward, ideally, and I would love to explore the possibility to reopen the railway along the Merse, from Berwick to Tweedbank and creating a tram link from Reston to Eyemouth.
Hamish Goldie-Scot, Scottish Family Party
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. The economy. Many are struggling and in need of support. But it is not sustainable to spend borrowed money on chronic problems without also addressing underlying causes. To develop skills, generate wealth and strengthen communities for the longer term, we need to replace fashionable ideology and wishful thinking with collaboration, competence and a willingness to learn from past mistakes. Westminster can help set the tone. Progress is made by doing the basics well – letting teachers teach, parents bring up their children as they wish, and businesses flourish on account of good transport links, reliable communications, and a skilled local workforce.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. Non-binary. Because of our practical values-based approach, the Scottish Family Party draws support from across the political spectrum, including on constitutional issues. Looking ahead, if support for independence were to remain clearly above 60 per cent for a period of several years, we would not oppose another referendum. A key consideration for me is that most policy areas in Scotland are already devolved, so we should focus on first managing those well. As a party we share the concern of many nationalists that if we were to attain independence soon, the written constitution would set in stone values with which we disagree.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. Relevant experience, and a willingness to work with others. No doubt other candidates have skills and experience that I lack, but I do have a track record of helping diverse stakeholder groups come together to solve seemingly intractable problems. As a civil engineer, transport planner and governance adviser, I have worked in 50 countries to help optimise the sustainable socio-economic outcomes of public infrastructure projects. My experience of researching renewable energy, and preparing guidance on climate change adaption and mitigation, allows me to make the case for poverty alleviation and economic development being of central importance to sustainable development.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. It should be on the agenda, but may not be the best option for improving transport links for Hawick and beyond. I worked for Scott Wilson when they undertook the feasibility study of the line to Tweedbank. Though not directly involved, I know about the complex array of challenges faced in preparing its business case. It would be irresponsible to commit to an extension in advance of the findings of the feasibility study. When finances are severely constrained, investment in a project that will not generate an economic return would ultimately take money away from schools, hospitals and public services.
Carolyn Grant, Reform Party
Q. What do you think is the biggest issue affecting the Borders?
A. I think the biggest issue in the Borders is the housing emergency which Scottish Borders Council declared on June 3. Everyone needs a roof over their head and right now, in one housing association in the Borders, there are 6,000 people on the waiting list. We need to repeal the 2019 tax law which the Conservatives brought in and allow landlords to be taxed on their net income, not their gross and allow them to claim back VAT.
Q. Where do you stand on independence?
A. If Scotland ever did get independence, it would put us under the thumb of unelected bureaucrats who would whittle away our personal freedoms. We will press ahead with our plans to distribute powers away from Westminster and Holyrood and move them to where they are best exercised – in councils, schools, voluntary organisations and with individuals.
Q. What makes you the best choice for the Borders?
A. I love this area and the people here. This is a truly community-minded area with people supporting one another and coming together for common riding festivals, sports and good times. I want to fight to allow people to stay in this area by increasing housing, availability of jobs, and access to good healthcare and services.
Q. How high on the agenda should the extension of the Borders Railway be?
A. The re-opening of the Waverley line on September 9, 2015 has without doubt been a great success. I was at the opening day. It would be great to see the line extended to Carlisle, but there is considerable cost attached to this project – £10m for feasibility alone. We must keep this cost down while at the same time allowing this additional important connection to the rest of the country.
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