JIM Hume has defended his dual role as both an MSP and the member of Scottish Borders Council for Galashiels and District, writes Andrew Keddie.
Aspersions on the Yarrow farmer’s ability to fulfil both functions were cast at the last meeting of Scottish Borders Council when it was announced, in his absence, that he was standing down as one of the council’s two representatives on Lothian and B
orders Police board.
After Tory councillor Trevor Jones from Berwickshire was appointed in Mr Hume’s stead, Councillor Nicholas Watson of the Borders Party stressed the importance of representing the council on such an outside body.
“If you cannot attend the meetings, then you cannot represent the Borders,” said Mr Watson. “I can quite understand that being an MSP as well as a councillor, Jim Hume does not have the time to attend, but the truth is it is not possible to be a proper councillor and a proper MSP at the same time.”
Mr Hume, above, who was elected for the Lib Dems to both the council and Holyrood, as a list member for the South of Scotland, in 2007, told TheSouthern this week: “I am getting quite used to such jibes, but they are completely unfounded.
“I enjoyed my time on the police board but stood down to give someone else a chance, not because I did not attend the meetings.
“Most councillors do other jobs and I am no longer a hands-on farmer. So my other job is an MSP and I happen to think the two roles are quite compatible.”
In his register of interests at Holyrood, Mr Hume confirms he is a partner of the farming firm of John Hume & Son at Sundhope, but that he is no longer active in the business and expects to receive no more than £10,000 a year in remuneration.
