TWEEDDALE MP David Mundell says the Borderlands’ failed City of Culture bid is a “real missed opportunity”.

The region – made up of the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland – was among a record-breaking 20 applicants to the competition.

However, the Borderlands was not one of the eight named on the longlist by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Mr Mundell, of the Conservatives, said: “It’s very disappointing that a Borderlands bid for City of Culture status will not be progressing any further, especially since I believe it would have had a huge amount to offer, showcasing our region and the strength and depth of our local cultural heritage.”

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The Westminster representative for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale added: “This is a real missed opportunity, but my thanks and appreciation go to South of Scotland Enterprise and the Borderlands Partnership for all their work on this over recent months.”

Before the longlist for the 2025 edition of the competition was announced, cross-border diversion emerged within the Borderlands bid.

SNP councillors in Dumfries and Galloway did not back the bid due to the size of the area, favouring a south of Scotland application.

At the time, Mr Mundell described the stance as “appalling”.

After news broke of the failed bid, South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth, a Labour representative, said: “I suspect the fact that the bid did not receive universal, cross-party support won’t have escaped the judges.”

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The eight regions to have made it are Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Bradford; Cornwall; County Durham; Derby; Southampton; Stirling; and Wrexham County Borough.

The winner will be announced in spring, 2022.

South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Russel Griggs OBE, who is also chairman of the Borderlands City of Culture Steering Group, said: “While disappointed that we have not made the 2025 UK City of Culture longlist, it has still been a thoroughly worthwhile exercise.

“It has helped showcase our passion and ambition to the rest of the country, particularly around the twin crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change.

“We pass on our congratulations and good luck to those areas and places who successfully made the 2025 UK City of Culture longlist.”