It is hard to believe that this time last year, Parliament was in deadlock, unable to pass the Meaningful Vote, lurching from crisis to crisis- the Conservative Party at war with itself and the opposition able to inflict damage on the Government at a stroke. What a difference a few months make.

Aberdeenshire Council and the county’s residents have been given another raw budget deal by the SNP government. Despite £1.6 billion in extra investment being sent from the Conservative UK Government, none of that is being spent here.

Today is a day that, at times over the past three years, I didn’t believe would come. Today the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union.

"This will not be an easy fight. It will involve our whole party and all of Government. It will be challenging. But the existence of our country as we know it is at stake and so I believe- and I know the Prime Minister believes- the fight is worth it."