With campaigning for the General Election under way in the North Wiltshire constituency we meet the Conservative candidate.

AFTER 18 years in Westminster and four successful elections stretching back to 1997, some would be ready to sit this one out, but not James Gray.

His passion for North Wiltshire and parliament, despite no interest in becoming a government minister, burns as strongly as ever and he hopes to continue as a ‘100 per cent constituency MP’ for a further 18 years.

He said: “I don’t get bored, I love it, it’s a great job. I love North Wiltshire, I love parliament and I hope to be here for another 18 years.

“I hope I am quite good at it, I think most people of all political persuasions in North Wiltshire would agree with that. I’m fit, healthy and young-ish these days and very much want to continue with my political career.”

After his experience in the constituency, and in the corridors of power, Mr Gray believes he has plenty to offer constituents over the next parliament.

“I think there’s a very real place in parliament for a person who offers three particular abilities, one is seniority and experience. The second thing is I have no ambition to be a minister and therefore I owe nobody anything and that gives me my third asset which is I can say and do and act exactly as I want.

“I am as I am and that enables me to be entirely free in what I say and do in parliament and as a result that enables me to be a 100 per cent constituency member of parliament, every single thing I do, my only interest, is whether or not it’s of benefit to the people of North Wiltshire.”

On other local issues, Mr Gray said he was eager to keep the local economy strong and prevent over-development.

“The economy locally is very strong, unemployment is extremely low and we have a significant degree of prosperity but we should never take that for granted,” he added.

“Linked to that is planning. I am concerned about the HGV traffic through Cricklade High Street but the only way to build a Cricklade bypass would be to allow 3,500 houses to be built and if you did that you’d solve the HGV problem but you’d also wreck the market town of Cricklade.

“Having lived here a long time, 25 years altogether, I love the way of life and the nature of the place – rural with pleasant market towns and beautiful villages nestling in the countryside.

“It’s an extremely pleasant place to live which is why people live here. One of my political rules is to seek to preserve that way of life.”

FACT FILE

Age: 60

Job: Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire since 1997

Address: Broughton Gifford

Marital status: Married

Children: Three children and three stepchildren

Standing in North Wiltshire are: Peter Baldrey (Labour); Pat Bryant (UKIP); Phil Chamberlain (Green); James Gray (Conservative); Simon Killane (Independent); Brian Mathew (Lib Dem); Giles Wareham (Independent).