Tuesday 2.30pm update:
John has confirmed that, in line with David Cameron's previously stated position, he would resign from the Scottish Parliament in 2011, if he is elected to Westminster:
"David Cameron says that anyone holding a dual mandate must "give up the other seat at the first available electoral opportunity". I am not taking anything for granted, but if I am elected as a Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk I will step down as an MSP at the next electoral opportunity - the Holyrood elections in 2011."
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Following the recent resignation of previously-selected candidate Chris Walker, Conservatives in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk yesterday selected John Lamont MSP to contest the seat at the next general election.
John needs a 6.5% swing from the Lib Dems to win the constituency (which he also fought at the 2005 general election) and take his seat at Westminster. Significantly, at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, it was John who won the Roxburgh and Berwickshire seat (which makes up more than 60% of this Westminster constituency) on a swing of no less than 9.4% from the Lib Dems. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Community Safety at Holyrood.
He said on his selection:
"I am greatly honoured to have been selected as the candidate to represent the Borders in Parliament. I promise to continue to work as hard as I possibly can to stand up for the Borders on the issues that matter to local people.
"It is important to note that regardless of whether I am at Westminster or the Scottish Parliament, the service that I provide to my constituents will not change. I will continue to hold surgeries throughout my constituency; my office in Hawick will remain; I will continue to distribute regular newsletters; I will continue to knock on doors; and I will continue to live in Coldstream. The letters after my name might change but nothing else will."
If John is successful in his bid to win the seat from Michael Moore at the general election, he will be the third Conservative MSP (after Ben Wallace and David Mundell) to be elected to Westminster.
Jonathan Isaby
