Sir, Following last Thursday’s general election, I would be grateful if, through your columns, I could thank everyone locally for allowing me the great privilege of being the MP for the Borders for the past 18 years?

Sir, Following last Thursday’s general election, I would be grateful if, through your columns, I could thank everyone locally for allowing me the great privilege of being the MP for the Borders for the past 18 years?

There is no place in the country like this and it was a great honour to represent the Borders on the national stage for such a long time. I wish Calum Kerr all the best in taking on the role and very much welcome his early public comments that he will work hard on everyone’s behalf in the years ahead. I would also like to thank all the other candidates for an election campaign I hope the region can be proud of - it was robust and energetic, as every contest should be, but was serious and looked properly at the issues facing the region. Activists of all parties fought their corner, but respectfully so. Finally, to all who made the election an orderly process, from those who organised hustings and hosted visits to council officials and the emergency services who presided over the election process, a very big thank you.

I am, etc.

Michael Moore