After visiting over 80 Borders towns and villages and speaking to more than 300 constituents, the 2017 Summer Surgery Tour of John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP is coming to an end.
Recently elected MP, John Lamont ends his tour in Lauder and Oxton on Tuesday 8th August, while the final joint surgeries with Rachael Hamilton MSP took in Ayton, Reston and Auchencrow on Friday 4th August.
In what was the ‘largest ever’ surgery tour for either politician, drop in sessions were held in Oxton in the north, Newcastleton in the south, Burnmouth in the east, Cappercleuch in the west and a huge number of other locations in between.
Constituents came to see their local politicians to speak about concerns with local services, suggestions for what should be a priority for the Borders or even to just meet them for the first time.
Common topics included problems with broadband and mobile coverage, issues with accessing NHS services in England and continued concern about the SNP’s desire for a second referendum on independence.
The two politicians are now taking forward more than 100 cases on behalf of their constituents.
Commenting, John Lamont MP said: “I have been blown away by the response to my summer surgery tour this year. The point of the tour is to meet as many constituents as possible in their own communities, which is why we decided to visit as many Borders towns and villages as possible.
“I have always sought to be as accessible as possible to my constituents and think it’s really important for politicians to be out in the communities speaking to the people they represent as much as possible.
“While a huge variety of issues were raised with us, I was struck by the number of people who had complaints about their broadband. These few weeks have really confirmed how much of a major issue this is for the Borders.”
Rachael Hamilton MSP added: “After a busy few weeks, it’s been a really worthwhile surgery tour. We’ve spoken to hundreds of people about all sorts of issues and it was great to see so many faces, a lot for the first time.
“I want to make it as easy as possible for my constituents to get in touch with their new MSP so I wanted to get out to visit as many communities as possible.
“My thanks go to each and every constituent who took the time and trouble to come to see us and to the hall staff for being so accommodating.”