DURING the last few months, I have been preparing for and campaigning in the referendum on our membership of the EU.

Since the general election, this issue has never been far from the political agenda, not least because, at the beginning, legislation was necessary to pave the way for referendum to actually take place. I am supporting the Remain camp.

Other early considerations included the formation of campaign groups.

There are two obvious organisations - Stronger In for the Remain side and the Vote Leave Campaign for Brexit.

Beneath these two structures are the political parties and organisations interested in promoting their particular positions.

The Conservative Party is not formally campaigning but many Conservatives like me are active on the Remain side.

It was necessary to create a new campaigning organisation to represent our views - it is Conservatives In and is recognised by the Electoral Commission.

I am also chairman of the Conservative Group for Europe, an organisation dating back to the late 1960s; we are also playing our part in promoting the case to remain in the EU.

Over half the Conservative parliamentary party is on the side of Remain with more joining us each day.

It is also pleasing to note the numbers of volunteers coming forward with their support and resources.

One of the characteristics of referendums - not least because of the binary nature of the choice - is that members of different parties work together.

Through Stronger In, I have been campaigning with members of the Labour Party, Lib Dems and Greens.

This cooperation has extended to public meetings in Stroud and beyond. It is refreshing to experience such working together and, for the public, it must sometimes seem surprising.

My campaigning has taken me across many parts of England and, because I have represented the Remain campaign in so many debates, I have met a wide range of people for all parties. It has been exciting and interesting.

This referendum really matters. This is why I have to do all I can have to promote the case to Remain.

It is, above all, about our future and the decision we make will shape it for decades to come. We are stronger, safer and better off in the EU.