Berwickshire Roxburgh and Selkirk
2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 18993 (41.8%)
Conservative: 13092 (28.8%)
Labour: 7206 (15.9%)
SNP: 3885 (8.6%)
Other: 2212 (4.9%)
Majority: 5901 (13%)
Boundary changes prior to 2005 election: Name of seat changed from Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
2001 Result
Conservative: 6533 (22.7%)
Labour: 4498 (15.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 14044 (48.8%)
SNP: 2806 (9.7%)
Other: 916 (3.2%)
Majority: 7511 (26.1%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 8337 (23.9%)
Labour: 5226 (15%)
Liberal Democrat: 16243 (46.5%)
SNP: 3959 (11.3%)
Referendum: 922 (2.6%)
Other: 244 (0.7%)
Majority: 7906 (22.6%)
No Boundary Changes:
Profile:
Outgoing MP: Michael Moore(Liberal Democrat) born 1965, Dundonald. Educated at Jedburgh Grammar School and Edinburgh University. Chartered accountant. MP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale since 1997. Transport spokesman 1997-2001, deputy foreign affairs spokesman 2001-2005, Lib Dem shadow defence secretary 2005-2006, foreign secretary 2006-2007, for international development since 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
John Lamont (Conservative) Born 1976. Educated at Kilwinning Academy and Glasgow University. Solicitor. Contested Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk 2005. Member of the Scottish Parliament for Roxburgh and Berwickshire since 2007.
Ian Miller (Labour) Carpet retailer. Chairman of Scottish Co-operative Party. Midlothian councillor. Michael Moore(Liberal Democrat) born 1965, Dundonald. Educated at Jedburgh Grammar School and Edinburgh University. Chartered accountant. MP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale since 1997. Transport spokesman 1997-2001, deputy foreign affairs spokesman 2001-2005, Lib Dem shadow defence secretary 2005-2006, foreign secretary 2006-2007, for international development since 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Paul Wheelhouse (SNP) born 1970, Dundonald. Educated at Stewart`s Melville College, Aberdeen University and University of Edinburgh Management School. Economic consultant.
Peter Neilson (UKIP)
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 89370
Male: 48.2%
Female: 51.8%
Under 18: 21.9%
Over 60: 24.9%
Born outside UK: 2.7%
White: 99.4%
Asian: 0.2%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 67.2%
Graduates 16-74: 18.8%
No Qualifications 16-74: 35.4%
Owner-Occupied: 59.2%
Social Housing: 25.3% (Council: 14.5%, Housing Ass.: 10.8%)
Privately Rented: 10.5%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.2%
We definitely should press on with the railway, as is being done. The Scottish Conservatives as a whole support it.
Costs have gone up, and times are hard – perhaps partly by the delays – but we must have long term views about important infrastructure projects, which will have many benefits.
Here is one of the closed stations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Riccarton_Junction_railway_station_in_2007.jpg
DBLISS
And Phillip Holloborne the Tory MP for Kettering has two elected posts (sitting councillor and MP). I am aware that Hancock is a councillor in Portsmouth but not aware of any other elected post. Perhaps you would like to enlighten me?
Besides,it is arguable that sitting as a councillor and MP is somewhat different then sitting in two separate parliaments. So it is not hypocrisy,especially as pointed out above Lamont has used the same line himself. It is perfectly legitimate to ask the question and the electorate will give the answer.
As for the Borders rail link, well the romantic in me would love to see the line back; the realist in me thinks it is a colossal waste of money. However it is not my money to spend it’s the Scots such is the nature of the UK these days!
I think the return of the railway can be nothing but a huge success. All the other recent re-openings such as Alloa and Larkhall had patronage levels far exceed predictions. 60% of those in employment in Midlothian council area work in Edinburgh.
In terms of the Galashiels area it will also bring transport choices back to an area with prescious few choices at the moment.
Cogload – Interesting point about who is spending the money. The Government is looking for a 30 year design and build contract from the private sector, so you might argue its 7 or 8 future holyrood administrations who will be spending the money! ; )
“it is arguable that sitting as a councillor and MP is somewhat different then sitting in two separate parliaments”
I’d put it a bit more strongly than “arguable”, Cogload! Being a councillor is not meant to be a full time job. Most councillors (or at least most below retirement age) combine it with full time employment which can only be a good thing in my view.
Being an MP and MSP (or MLA or whatever) is totally different as it combines two jobs which are really properly done on a full time basis.
“Being an MP and MSP (or MLA or whatever) is totally different as it combines two jobs which are really properly done on a full time basis.”
I see the reason why people might argue that, but surely it is a fact that the greater part of the combined workload of an MP and an MSP used to be performed pre-devolution by a single representative.
Were I a voter in Scotland I would be completely relaxed about the prospect of the same individual being my local MP and one of my local MSPs (obviously all areas have more than one MSP representing them because of those elected via the lists).
It would be superb to see the Waverly Line rebuilt right the way through to Carlisle, obviously depending on the potential long term financial viability of such a project. I would hope that Cogload’s pessimism expressed above (he seems to be pessimistic about most projects to expand the current rail network) prove to be wide of the mark.
My grandmother was born in Newcastleton where in 1969, on the occasion of the passage of the last scheduled passenger train, the line was blocked for several hours by a large number of people protesting against the line’s closure.
David (comment on page 21).
I have cut and paste from an earlier post I made (these figures are based on the actual votes achieved in those ballot boxes within the BRS seat).
“The data released by the Scotland Office indicate that in May 2007 the following vote shares were recorded:
Constituency vote:
Lib Dem (34.6%)
Con (34.1%)
SNP (21.6%)
Labour (8.9%)
Others (0.8%)
List Vote:
Con (28.8%)
Lib Dem (24.6%)
SNP (23.6%)
Labour (12.7%)
Green (4.4%)
Others (5.9%)
It is a bit triicky to be precise, because it is not possible to strip out postal votes that relate the TELCA wards going into this seat. However, if the above is accurate, and it should be reasonably accurate, this shows the extent to which the Tories and Lib Dems have succeeded in encouraging tactical votes. If people vote without tactical considerations, and if there were to be a green candidate, or a Liberal again, then the Lib Dems could find themselves in a three way fight if the SNP and Tories both work it hard. Either way, the SNP is a lot stronger than in 2005, while Labour has slipped back to fourth. Lib Dems weaker also, while Tories will be bouyed by their R&B win.
Of course in 2007, Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale would have been won by the SNP on the list vote, while the Tories would have won R&B by a country mile, with the SNP and Lid Dems neck and neck for second place on around 22-23% on the list each.”
Hope that helps!
I think this is one of the few seats in Scotland that may go Tory at the election. A couple of LD folk I know spoke about how close the result they felt it was going to be here. Maybe they were just being pesimistic though
I have no problem with someone being an MP and MSP/AM at the same time.
However I feel the LD vote here will fall to around 33% but Michael Moore will hold.