A SCOTTISH Borders councillor has been chosen to represent the Conservatives in the fight to become the first Lothian East MP.

Scott Hamilton was revealed as the party’s candidate this morning (Wednesday) and becomes the sixth person confirmed for the ballot on July 4.

Mr Hamilton, who represents Jedburgh and District on the local authority, was “thrilled” to have been selected.

He said: “I am up for the contest and committed to listening to local residents.

“I will work hard on behalf of all those living across our towns, villages and rural areas.”

Mr Hamilton plans to spend the coming weeks “making the positive case for East Lothian” which, he claimed, had been “badly neglected by the SNP and badly served by a Labour-run council.”

READ MORE: Douglas Alexander named Labour's East Lothian Westminster candidate

He added: “This election is crucial for the people of East Lothian and for the future of the UK.

“I will be a strong local representative for the residents of East Lothian, who have been let down by the outgoing ALBA MP, Labour councillors and the local SNP MSP.”

Already confirmed to stand in Lothian East are George Kerevan (ALBA), Douglas Alexander (Labour), Robert Davies (Reform UK), Shona McIntosh (Scottish Green) and Lyn Jardine (SNP).

The Scottish Liberal Democrats are expected to confirm their candidate tonight (Wednesday).

Mr Hamilton added: “East Lothian is the second fastest growing area in Scotland and our infrastructure has not kept pace with the growth.

READ MORE: Lyn Jardine replaces Iain Whyte as SNP candidate for Lothian East

“We need a local MP who acts on local concerns – such as the recent closure of the Belhaven Hospital and the Edington in North Berwick.

“We need an MP who stands up for local people and local issues and not another MP focused on serving their own career who takes local voters for granted.”

The 27-year-old was brought up on his family farm in the Scottish Borders.

He said he wanted to focus on people’s local priorities and “not the SNP’s independence obsession, or Scottish Labour who have voted time and time for SNP policies such as gender reform and hate crime laws.”

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Hamilton added: “The choice is clear: voters can either elect the SNP candidate who will spend the next five years campaigning for independence or they can vote for the Scottish Conservatives to beat the SNP and elect an MP who will focus on your priorities.”

Anthony Stodart, local Conservative Association chairman, described Mr Hamilton as “a great choice”.

He said: “We’re delighted that Scott will take the fight to Labour and the SNP by focusing on the real issues that are important to East Lothian residents.”