The Midlothian and Scottish Borders Liberal Democrats

31/10/2026

30/10/2026

This proposal has given us all a tsunami of information, much of it poor, and like many of you I've found it hard to reach a well-informed view. So I fact-checked it.

Would the Chapelcross data centre bring jobs, and are the numbers believable?

CX Tech's website promises "around 540 permanent direct jobs" on its home page and "approximately 450 direct permanent jobs" in its FAQs. On CX Tech's own figures, construction could need up to 750 workers over at least eight years.

I could find nothing in the planning application that commits to any of these jobs, and no operator or employer has been named.

I want good jobs at Chapelcross. What would you want to know about the jobs on offer? Post your questions in the comments.

If you’ve received a letter from the council about this application, comment by the deadline in your letter. Public comments close on Sunday 15 November. Comments only on the environmental impact report close on Sunday 29 November. The council has said late comments will not be considered: www.dumgal.gov.uk/planning

Dumfries & Galloway Liberal Democrats The Midlothian and Scottish Borders Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Group of South Lanarkshire Council

29/10/2026

This proposal has given us all a tsunami of information, much of it poor, and like many of you I've found it hard to reach a well-informed view. So I fact-checked it.

Who owns the company behind the Chapelcross data centre?

CX Tech says its ownership and control are "disclosed through the appropriate statutory filings". I went through those filings. The chain of companies leads to a parent in the British Virgin Islands, where owners' names are not made public. The last company in the chain visible on the UK register is controlled by the UK Conservative Party's Treasurer.

CX Tech says it is a UK company subject to UK tax.

Ownership isn't something the council can weigh in a planning decision, but it is a fair question when public land and public money are involved. The site is NDA land, and £20.8m of public money has been committed to getting it ready for development.

Got a question about who is behind the plans? Post it in the comments.

If you’ve received a letter from the council about this application, comment by the deadline in your letter. Public comments close on Sunday 15 November. Comments only on the environmental impact report close on Sunday 29 November. The council has said late comments will not be considered: www.dumgal.gov.uk/planning

Dumfries & Galloway Liberal Democrats The Midlothian and Scottish Borders Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Group of South Lanarkshire Council

26/10/2026

Tonight, Duncan Dunlop MSP spoke at a meeting on proposed cuts to Hawick Fire Station and what it would mean for Hawick. This would see the fire service downgraded to a weekday service, with out-of-hours cover provided by on-call firefighters at Galashiels. Residents have made their views on this clear. They will not sit back while this vital 24/7 service is stripped away from them.

24/10/2026

Midlothian & Scottish Borders Lib Dem AGM Today 🔶️
Momentum is building for next May!

Thank you to Lord Jeremy Purvis of Tweed for joining us

24/10/2026

Inspiring speeches from Duncan Dunlop MSP and Jeremy Purves today at The Midlothian and Scottish Borders Liberal Democrats meeting today.

20/10/2026

Productive walk round the north side of Peebles with the SBHA team and fellow Tweeddale West Councillors Viv Thomson and Eric Small.
Picked up issues at George Terrace, North Street, Dalatho and Cuddyside.

Peebles Community Council
Peebles Community Trust
Cllr. Viv Thomson SNP Councillor for Tweeddale West
Eric Small
SBHA HomeChoice

29/09/2026

We hope you will join us this Saturday October 3, 2026 from 10am-12-noon for our Libdemochat coffee morning at The Waterwheel in Selkirk.

Come for all or part of it for coffee, cake and chat! No need to book, just turn up on the day.

Here is the address:
The Waterwheel Tea Room
Philiphaugh Estate
Selkirk
TD7 5LX
Scotland

We look forward to seeing you there!

23/09/2026