Borders divided

Your article “Borders faces its own North South divide” (7 April) possibly needs more explanation for the benefit of some of those who have made online comments about it.

It does seem rather odd that a party of public-spirited people, who have the Borders’ best interests at heart, should be vilified for stating very sensibly that we should actually talk to the local authority of Northumberland, with whom we share our longest boundary. Our two regions are so similar it is nearly impossible to separate them and their common interests.

We share a common history, land structure, fishing interest, agricultural interest, tourism interest and industrial interest. Many people live in one region yet work in the other.

Surely it is not treason to speak to them and share the common goals for our area!

To take from the Borders Party’s opposition to the City Region connection to Edinburgh that we want “independence” is a malicious misunderstanding. The Borders is irrefutably Scottish.

Where it sits now, and in the future, is a national decision beyond the powers of local government. We have had a common interest with Edinburgh, which has been productive for both parties for centuries. We are as proud of being either Scottish, or choosing to live in Scotland, as any Nationalist; we simply like the idea of speaking to our neighbours.

Surely we do our voters and public no service if we tie ourselves to Edinburgh and ignore the advantages we can accrue from looking east, west and south rather than only north.

I am sure Councillor Riddell-Carre, with her proud Border names, will also wish the best for the Borders. It is therefore surprising that she, and others in her Conservative Party, seem reluctant to trust the Border people themselves to decide on future directions and planning through their own local authority.

I cannot understand why they think that is a negative thing. Border voters choose who they wish to take local decisions on their behalf, not the voters of the Lothians, Edinburgh or Fife.

Similarly, she, and others in her party, seem unable to understand that there is a great deal of opposition to the Borders Rail project in the Borders.

Sandy Aitchison

Borders Party Councillor

Craigend Road

Galashiels, Selkirkshire