The position of Conservative candidate for the seat became available when Chris Walker, who had been selected to fight for the constituency currently represented by Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore, stood down last month, citing work commitments as the reason for his decision.

At a meeting in St Boswells on Sunday afternoon, attended by almost 200 local party members, John Lamont won the nomination ahead of a number of other applicants, with overwhelming support.

John was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007, and now has his sights set on Westminster.

He said: "I am greatly honoured to have been selected as the candidate to represent the Borders in Parliament. I promise to continue to work as hard as I possibly can to stand up for the Borders on the issues that matter to local people."

During the selection meeting, John Lamont said: "It has become very apparent during the last six months that we need powerful voices from Scotland in Westminster arguing the case for the Union. We cannot rely on the Labour Party – they are more interested in hanging onto the keys of Downing Street and have failed to effectively stand up against the independence plans of the SNP.

"We cannot rely on the Liberal Democrats – they want to see a federal state in the UK to allow the European Superstate to be rolled out. You can only rely on the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party to stand up for Scotland within the United Kingdom.

"But it is more than simply winning the seat. It is about giving the Borders a seat at the table of Government again. For too long, the Borders has failed to get the inward investment from national Governments because for decades we have had an MP in permanent opposition but never in Government."

Speaking after the meeting, John Lamont said: "It is important to note that regardless of whether I am at Westminster or the Scottish Parliament, the service that I provide to my constituents will not change. I will continue to hold surgeries throughout my constituency; my office in Hawick will remain; I will continue to distribute regular newsletters; I will continue to knock on doors; and I will continue to live in Coldstream. The letters after my name might change but nothing else will."

John Greenwell, the local Conservative Association chairman said: "This is a tremendous result for the Borders. With a General Election just nine months away, I am certain that the country is ready for a change and is ready to remove the Labour Party from office. The Borders is no different and we have a real chance to bring about that change of Government by electing a Conservative MP."