However I feel the LD vote here will fall to around 33% but Michael Moore will hold.

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!

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.

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).

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.

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! ; )

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.

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