Dear John,

When I went toe-to-toe with Nicola Sturgeon at the 2016 elections, it was to stop the SNP from breaking up the United Kingdom, and I know that thousands of people across Scotland voted for me and my party for that reason.

Now, the better part of a decade later, the SNP are still at it.

They’re still pushing for the powers to take Scotland out of the UK, while all the time overlooking the important issues that people really want to see time spent on – growing our economy, getting a grip on NHS waiting lists, driving up educational standards and making our communities safer.

The SNP have been a disaster for Scotland, and it will only get worse unless we all act to stop them.

Let’s be honest, I know a lot of people are unhappy at the state of politics not just in Scotland but across the UK as a whole – and frankly I’m one of them.

But you need to ask yourself, how would any of that be helped by electing more SNP MPs? The fact is, this is what the election is about in Scotland. It’s about whether the SNP win or not, and more SNP MPs would only make things worse, not better.

Every seat the SNP win – especially if they were to win in a seat like this one – would be trumpeted by them as another milestone on the road to independence. 

And be in no doubt the SNP could still win here in the Scottish Borders.  Many people think it can’t happen, but that’s just plain wrong.  The danger is very real.

So, to stop that from happening there’s only one thing to be done.  Only a vote for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party in this seat can stop the election of an SNP MP here.

I know some people might be tempted this time to vote for other parties - or perhaps not to vote at all.  Please don’t because the stakes are just too high.

Your vote is a powerful thing. It really can change the course of a whole country – and not using it can do the same thing. If pro-UK voters don't use their postal ballot or sit at home, then nationalists who go to the polls will win. And if pro-UK votes are wasted on parties that just can’t win here – like the Reform Party – it’s those who want to see the UK broken up who will be celebrating on 5th July.

So this is a personal appeal to please use your vote to beat the SNP. Don't leave your postal ballot on the kitchen worktop and forget about it. Don't throw it away.

This election in Scotland is a huge opportunity for pro-UK voters. We can finally move Scotland forward and get away from the divisive independence debate, once and for all. 

Stopping an SNP win in this constituency, and all that would bring with it, really does need your vote for John Lamont. It’s as simple as that.