With the stay of execution for the Driving Standards Agency, the building in North Bridge Street will soon be an empty shell. The closure of two Government departments is not really the point, it is the principle, yet again Hawick misses out.

The biggest example of Hawick missing out is the reinstatement of the one-track, diesel, £100million-per-mile, train line by 2012/13, sponsored by Scottish Borders Council in 2002, voted at Holyrood 114-1. Reasons for the line's one third re-introduction, the suggestion to boost the Borders economy and tourism with two stations in Galashiels and Tweedbank, I see no advantage to us being 18 miles away.

Bit by bit the democratic infrastructure of the biggest town in the Borders is being shipped away. Lost town councils in 1976 for Roxburgh Disctrict Council/Regional Councils, in 1996/7 Scottish Borders based in its 'ivory towers' at St Boswells came into being.

We have, at the moment, five councillors on the ruling administration at the seat of local government.

Our economy is struggling.Yes Finance Minister John Swinney (SNP) has visited the town on at least two occasions – any difference? I do not think so. Sainsbury's coming this year with 250 jobs. That has to be seen to be believed; full and part-time staff, shifted minimum wages the least to be paid, another supermarket in town to join the many others. There is only so much money to go around during these times 'of belt tightening'. The people of Hawick will see eventually whether the High Street is affected.

So many trials and tribulations have been foisted on the people of Hawick. We are still here, chins up and best foot forward, we will see ourselves with resolve through a time of uncertainty, eventually showing again we as a town, are 'Queen of a' the Borders', even though we receive little or no help from the Scottish Government, Westminster or Scottish Borders Council. A huge shame really.