THE Liberal Democrats kicked off their election campaign last night with a 100-strong party in Northleach.

The Westwood Centre, Northleach, was decked in Lib Dem orange and flashing lights for the start of what could be the tightest election race in a generation.

Paul Hodgkinson, district and county councillor, outlined his plan to wrestle the constituency from incumbent MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown in front of a crowd of supporters, including Martin Horwood, Lib Dem MP for Cheltenham.

Mr Hodgkinson will fight his campaign on three issues: protecting the countryside, creating better infrastructure and improving health services.

He said that the election would be “very close, a two horse race”.

“This has been a Tory set for a hundred years and there is a real feeling that they are getting complacent,” he said.

“There is a feeling in the Cotswolds that we are building momentum and that we now have a real opportunity for change.

“Not long ago the bookies had me to win at 50 to 1 odds, now they have me at 15 to 1.”

Joe Harris, Mayor of Cirencester and leader of the Lib Dem group in the Cotswolds, explained how he planned to fight the local elections, where they will be putting up a councillor for election in every ward.

The Lib Dems, he said, would fight to protect the countryside, cut parking charges, keep the Cotswolds clean, create affordable housing, increase recycling and create “vibrant towns and vibrant communities”.

He also talked of reversing some cuts, for instance those to the Citizens Advice Bureau, and incentivising businesses to recycle more.

He even suggested that the Lib Dems may improve transport links by opening old train stations or extending existing railway lines.

“We are not saying that we have the plans in place, we are just saying that all options are on the table,” he said.

The night included a premier of Mr Hodgkinson’s new election video which will be released at the start of the main Lib Dem election campaign.