Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has been Cotswolds MP for 23 years and has no plans to relinquish the role any time soon. The Conservative told Brendan McFadden why he deserves another term in Parliament.


AS the sitting MP, Mr Clifton-Brown will be judged on what he has achieved for the Cotswolds, and he is proud of his track record – from successfully campaigning for the redoubling of the Kemble to Swindon rail line, to helping to avoid the closure of the fire service training college in Moreton-in-Marsh.


He also points out that he has played a big part in the government's work to roll out broadband to 90 per cent of homes in Gloucestershire, and the successful campaign for funding for improvements to the A417.


And he believes one of his greatest strengths is that people know him, not only because of his long time as MP, but because he makes sure he meets his constituents – and that will be the case during his election campaign.


“There are 120 villages in the Cotswolds I plan to visit, and I doubt the other candidates will do that – they never have in the run up to previous elections,” he said.


When asked what challenges the government would encounter if it stays in power and he keeps his seat, Geoffrey said there were several national programmes that needed work in order to succeed.


“There is still more work to be done on our NHS combined programme, which is where we are putting social care and health care together,” he said.


Mr Clifton-Brown also said that, although the current government had ushered in record employment, there was still more work to be done and he was keen to play a part.


Of course, voters will also judge Mr Clifton-Brown on what he can deliver for the Cotswolds if re-elected.


He said one key issue that he would be concentrating on is the lack of funding for schools in the Cotswolds.


He said: “We have good schools in the Cotswolds but we are in the F40 funding group [a group of local authorities with the lowest government funding].”


Mr Clifton-Brown said that he would be campaigning to change funding rules so that each region gets the same amount.


With the long-running debate on whether the UK should remain in the European Union set to be a vote-winner, Mr Clifton-Brown was quick to point out that the Conservatives have promised a referendum if elected.


“We are the only party that could deliver a European referendum," he said.


"It is really important that we have a referendum so that this issue can be decided once and for all.”


Although the Cotswolds is considered a safe seat for the Tories, Mr Clifton-Brown said he expects a battle to be re-elected and is more than ready for the fight.