Thursday November 5th 2026
Scottish Borders Councillor John PatonDay
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Councillors today united in a moment of silent reflection in tribute to a much-loved fellow elected member and “true friend of the Scottish Borders” following his sudden death late last month.
John PatonDay, who represented the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Leaderdale and Melrose, died while on holiday with his family on Wednesday, October 21.
At a meeting of the full council today, Thursday, November 5, council convenor Watson McAteer led the tributes.
Mr PatonDay was first elected to represent Leaderdale and Melrose in 2007, serving as a Liberal Democrat councillor until 2012.
He was re-elected to the council in 2022, representing the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Following his most-recent election, he was appointed Scottish Borders Council’s Champion for the Creative Arts, a role established to ensure that those involved in creative expression through the visual, literary and performing arts had their voices heard.
Councillor McAteer said: “There is no doubting John’s passion for art and during his private and public life he has contributed so much with his skill and passion leaving a lasting legacy in the Borders community.
“John may not have been born in the Borders, his London accent may have given that away, but he was to become one of us and someone we will all miss.”
Mr McAteer passed on his condolences to Councillor PatonDay’s wife Alison and all his family for the loss of a “caring man,” adding: “They will be in our thoughts at this very sad time. The Borders has lost a true friend.”
Further tribute came from Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, leader of the SNP group in the chamber, who reflected on her much-missed colleague’s varied working life.
Councillor PatonDay worked in further education, was a highly-skilled joiner who was part of the crew that built the Barbican Centre in London, an events promoter and – briefly – a Radio Caroline DJ, a role curtailed “due to his inability to cope with the sea-sickness” then, latterly, a bus escort for children with additional support needs.
Councillor Thornton-Nicol said her colleague had asbestosis but it was hoped that he would see out his term in office and enjoy a period of retirement.
She said: “Last week I had a conversation with a man whose son is non-verbal and autistic. John was assigned as his bus escort. The family was concerned at the change but John made a connection with that child and he went to the bus willingly every day. A kind heart who had time for all.
“For us he was our friend, our colleague, part of our political family, always with time no matter the constraints, always with words of wisdom no matter the subject and always self-deprecating, because that was what he was.
“We will miss him.”
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