TWEEDDALE MP David Mundell will stand again at the next general election.

The politician has been re-selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party candidate for the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency, which he has represented since it was first created in 2005.

Prior to that, he served as one of the first MSPs for the South of Scotland region, being elected at the first Scottish Parliament election in 1999.

He was chosen by party members at a special meeting held last Saturday.

Mr Mundell said: “Since I was first elected to serve our area, I have worked hard to improve the lives of local people in every community here in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.

"I am committed to ensuring the focus stays on local priorities. My priority has always been raising the issues most important to our local communities and if, with the support of local people, I am returned as the MP for our area, that will continue to be the case.

“Changes to parliamentary boundaries will also see Clovenfords and the surrounding area brought into the constituency, so I am really looking forward to picking up on the local issues that affect residents there.

“Key issues for me include maintaining and developing local public transport, including the vital 101/102 bus service serving West Linton, Biggar and the surrounding area and helping ensure the delivery of a new Peebles High School which meets the need of the local school community.

“Other priorities are supporting the development of the Tweed Valley as an internationally recognised centre for mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits, fighting to help protect vital services in rural villages and supporting rural communities and the rural economy more generally.

“By re-electing me when the general election comes, local people will continue to have a dedicated and community-minded MP who puts their interests first.”