Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore MP writes a regular column for local newspapers in his constituency. Here’s the latest edition, covering his busy week at Westminster and in the Borders.

Independence Referendum

Deciding on the future of our country and whether it remains in the UK or becomes independent will undoubtedly be the most important decision we Borderers make in our lifetime. Here in Berwickshire, we are very close to our English neighbours and enjoy the freedom of travelling and trading between the two countries. With questions which need answering on the SNP’s plans for an independent Scotland, it is hard to imagine what an independent Scotland would look like. However, when the referendum does come it is vital that it provides us with a true and fair opportunity to determine the future of our country.

This is why last week I launched a public consultation on how we can achieve a referendum which is legal, fair and decisive. At the moment the Scottish Government does not have the legal power to hold a referendum on independence and, while the UK Government’s preference would be to devolve this power to the Scottish Government, we have launched this consultation to seek people’s views.

We also think that the referendum should be sooner rather than later, with one simple-yes no question to the existing Scottish Parliament franchise, overseen by the Electoral Commission. However we want to hear people’s opinions on these things too so we can come to an agreement.

On this most important of questions, it is vital that we achieve a referendum that isn’t the result of back-room deals or political rigging by one side or the other, but which gives the Scottish people a fair opportunity to make their voices heard. So, I want to encourage people, from all sides of the argument, to engage in the consultation to shape a fair, legal, decisive referendum on the future of our country.

Caroline Spelman visits the Borders

The fishing and farming industries here in Berwickshire are hugely important to our local economy and the high quality food we produce is sold throughout the UK and abroad. However, despite our long farming and fishing heritage, these industries are facing enormous pressures with unfair prices and the burden of EU regulation.

It was great therefore to welcome the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman to the Borders last Friday to see our local fishing and farming industries for herself and discuss these challenges with her. In Eyemouth, we met with local fishermen and seafood processors who outlined the lack of sufficient quota and number of days at sea as causing huge damage to fishing businesses. They also described how they were making every effort to comply with regulations and reduce discards but receive little recognition or improved support from the EU as a result.

Caroline fully acknowledged these issues and outlined her commitment to fight for a better deal for Scottish fishermen during the negotiations on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). She assured everyone at the meeting that, with the full clout of the UK behind them, the interests of Scottish fishermen will feed directly into the negotiations. Caroline also said she will work with the Scottish Government to ensure the EU regulations are implemented sensibly, particularly when it comes to compliance for fishermen working in both English and Scottish seas.

In Stow, we met representatives from the National Farmers Union of Scotland where we discussed reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the importance of maintaining direct payments and support for Less Favoured Areas. Caroline outlined her commitment to fighting the corner of Scottish farmers in the CAP negotiations, particularly taking into account the unique nature of Scottish farming.

At the end of the day’s discussions it was clear that as a member of the UK, the interests of Scotland are strongly represented in the EU in these important policy decisions. As local MP, I am also firm in my commitment to continue to work with our local industries and Caroline Spelman, following these meetings, to ensure we achieve the best deal possible for our local farmers and fishermen.

* Michael Moore was the Liberal Democrat MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk from 1997-2015 and Secretary of State for Scotland from 2010-2013.