By John Lamont MP
I'm looking forward to once again holding my annual summer surgery tour around the Scottish Borders over the coming months.
On top of my regular engagement with local people, these surgeries are opportunities for me to hear your concerns first-hand and for you to raise any particular issues you may be having.
I'll be holding events at dozens of locations all over our local area. If you wish to attend, please get in touch with my office and they will make you an appointment at a venue near you.
Being the Member of Parliament for the area that I call home is a huge privilege that I don't take for granted. My annual summer surgery tour is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling parts of representing you.
I always enjoy speaking with local residents and helping with your problems if I can. No matter how big or small your concerns are, my team and I will support you as best as we can.
I also believe my surgery tour is an essential element of democracy. I'm elected to serve and represent you, so it's vital that I am accountable and transparent. Too many politicians at Holyrood and Westminster have forgotten who elects them, but I won't.
So, please do come and speak to me this summer about any issues that deserve more attention and I'll do what I can to help.
For instance, I know many of you are worried about a lack of access to cash services, so I am currently campaigning to increase the number of ATMs and banking hubs across the Borders.
I'm also aware that getting a GP appointment can be very difficult, so I regularly push for more investment in local health services from the SNP government.
You may be concerned by some proposals in the external Live Borders review of services, which includes options to shut down some buildings that I believe should remain open, such as Selkirk Swimming Pool or Coldstream Library.
Or you may be worried about energy installations that could ruin our countryside, such as mega-pylon projects or applications for solar panel sites that are as big as some towns.
Whatever issues you may be having, please contact my office and they will be happy to arrange for you to speak with me on my summer advice surgery tour, so I can do my very best to help you.
