Yes, No or Maybe. This time the progress is clear.

Lockerbie to Edinburgh ( by Train) 1 hour

Lockerbie to Carlisle (by Train) 20 minutes

Annan to Carlisle (by Car ) 30 minutes

Annan to Edinburgh ( by Car) 2 Hours

Moffat to Glasgow (by Bus ) I hour 30 minutes

Moffat to Carlisle ( by Bus) 2hrs to 2hrs 45 minutes (with connections)

This is the reality in our part of the South West of Scotland – Annandale. In terms of geography, on the edge of Scotland and, some will argue, in terms of politics on the edge of Scotland. An area of Scotland with more people over 65 than most of the rest of the country and with the highest number of residents born outside Scotland – the majority born in England.

Last week in the Westminster election, as part of the Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency, we elected one of the six Conservative MPs in Scotland (Scotland in total voted for other parties in the 53 other Westminster seats – 48 of them being SNP).

Possibly some people are a bit confused as to where we all stand in Annandale at the moment. What is not open to confusion however is that we are part of Scotland. That is a fact, pure and simple. This means that we are in an awfully good place potentially as Scotland moves towards becoming an open, independent, small country with the ability to play its part in the wider world, with a prosperous and fair future for all.

Now here comes the good news. For those feeling a bit knocked back by the prospect of David Mundell claiming to speak for all of us. There is now clear evidence in Scotland that the majority want to vote on the future direction of our country. There is also clear evidence from the work done by PROGRESS in Scotland – a clear and scientific approach concentrating on views and feelings of the previous neither Yes or No voters – that this important group of Maybes is slowly but surely moving in the Yes direction. We know that about 30% of our population are very pro the UK and are unlikely to change their attitudes in the near future. About 50% of Scottish voters are now likely to choose the self-governance route. This leaves 20% and these people as measured on a sliding scale are moving inexorably along that scale to Yes. It is not a sudden change and it needs support, honest information and reassurance. The direction is only one way.

In Annandale and the Borders in general there will always be, for the reasons of geography and population make up, less support for Yes than in other parts of Scotland. We accept that. We work to explain to as many as will listen and engage, the positives of living in an independent country. What we shouldn’t have a problem with is emphasising that Annandale is part of Scotland and although geographically we are on the border of Scotland, we are part of Scotland, and when Scotland decides on its future we are part of that future.