JOHN Lamont says he is “delighted” after being re-elected as the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

Borderers headed to polling stations across the region yesterday (July 4) as part of the 2024 general election.

In the early hours of this morning it was confirmed that Conservative representative Mr Lamont had been returned as the MP for the region.

Speaking after the result, he said: “Thank you to everyone who voted to re-elect me as your MP for the Scottish Borders.

“It was a bad night for the UK party but my brilliant team helped me to defy expectations and win again here in the Borders. Thank you to all the tremendous volunteers and activists who gave up their time to help me.

“Well done to all the other candidates too. It was a good, clean, hard-fought campaign.

“It has been the honour of my life to represent the Borders and I am delighted that I have the chance to continue delivering for local people.

“After a short break over the next few weeks, my team and I will soon be back and ready to help with any local issues that you may have.”

Mr Lamont received 18,872 votes, winning with a 6,599 majority.

The SNP’s David Wilson gained the next highest number of votes (12,273) ahead of Labour’s Caitlin Stott (6,311); Liberal Democrats’ Ray Georgeson (3,686); Reform UK’s Carolyn Grant (3,340); Green Party’s Neil MacKinnon (1,526); independent Ellie Merton (329); and Scottish Family Party’s Hamish Goldie-Scot (221).

The total number of votes cast was 46,696, with a turnout of 61.1 per cent.

The number of ballot papers rejected and not counted was 138.

Kelso’s Borders Events Centre hosted the count overnight.

David Robertson, returning officer, said: “I’d like to thank all the staff who made sure that the election in this constituency ran efficiently and accurately, both at polling stations across the area and at the count centre.”