A well known former Scottish Borders councillor, Neil Calvert, has, along with his wife Doreen, been seeing how the UK’s national government works.
Mr Calvert, the former Tweeddale West Councillor, Finance Convener and Deputy Council leader of Scottish Borders Council, stepped down at the last election. And by way of a post council treat Mr and Mrs Calvert visited London recently, where Tweeddale MP David Mundell was their host at Westminster.
Their tour of the seat of the UK government included sitting in at Prime Minister’s Questions, and lunch with Mr Mundell in the Strangers Dining Room at the House of Commons.
“It is always a delight to welcome people from Tweeddale to parliament and show them around, and hopefully give them an insight into the workings of the UK government,” said Mr Mundell.
“In this case it was my pleasure to welcome Neil and Doreen to Westminster. Neil was a force for good locally and left very big shoes to fill at the council. Not only did he speak out for the interests of West Linton and the wider Tweeddale West ward, but he brought his experience as a former bank manager to bear on the Council finances. Neil helped restore credibility to the Scottish Borders Council Budget and managed to achieve continued investment across the Borders, while keeping Council Tax frozen. He can be particularly proud of the proposed new West Linton Primary and the Council's involvement in the Newland Centre. Neil was highly respected in his ward and beyond, and it was a pleasure for me working with him,” added Mr Mundell.