Sir, I felt it necessary to respond to the letter from former Lib Dem councillor Mr Paton-Day which was published in last week’s paper regarding my selection to stand for Westminster in 2015.

As always, my first priority will be to provide a first class service to my constituents in the Borders and to represent them to the best of my abilities.

If the voters in the Borders elect me as their MP, I will stand down as an MSP at the first available electoral opportunity. This follows the precedent set by other parliamentarians of all political parties.

However, I will go further. Should I be elected in 2015, I will not be taking any additional salary and will instead be donating it to a local Borders charity.

In the meantime, I will continue my usual diligence in holding my weekly surgeries, meeting local groups and helping out the many people who come to me each day asking for help or advice.

I am confident that my record as a representative for the Borders is a strong one, and I am hopeful that the people of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk will back me in May 2015 to allow me to continue this hard work on their behalf.

I am, etc.

John Lamont MSP Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire