BORDERS MP John Lamont will vote against the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement tomorrow.

In a statement today, the member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk said the deal does not deliver for the Borders, Scotland or the UK.

And after “carefully considering the agreement in detail” he has “reluctantly” come to the view that he cannot support the deal as it currently stands.

In his statement he says: “I have never doubted the Prime Minister’s commitment to deliver the best for this country. Even amongst those who do not support this deal, the vast majority of people recognise she has put her heart and soul into public service over the past few years. And she has had an almost impossible job to do.

"In coming to my decision, I have had to weigh up the risks associated with the agreement, with the risks of the unknown.

“There are clearly significant risks associated with this Withdrawal Agreement, including the potential that fishing could be traded away and the possibility that we will be locked in to the backstop arrangement.

“This deal could mean that we retain some of the worst things about EU membership without being able to take advantage of the opportunities of Brexit. The UK could end up in an uncomfortable half-way house – having to follow EU rules without any influence or say over them.

“I have come to the conclusion that on balance, these are not risks I am prepared to take.

“I want the UK to move on and be able to focus on other, more important things. This Withdrawal Agreement could mean that we are still talking about Brexit for many more years to come. 

“Over the past few weeks I have received upwards of 1,000 emails, social media comments, survey responses and phone calls from Borderers. While there is little consensus about what should happen next, the clear message that I have received from my constituents was that this agreement does not satisfy many."