South Cotswolds: What are the issues in the King's constituency?

The newly-formed constituency of South Cotswolds is formed of parts of north Wiltshire and southern Gloucestershire

The South Cotswolds might bring to mind bucolic villages and charming market towns.

But is life there really a rural idyll - and is it still a Conservative stronghold?

The seat is one of the newly-formed constituencies being fought for the first time this general election.

So what is the South Cotswolds constituency and what will the changes mean?

Where is it?

The new seat takes in almost half of the old Cotswold constituency - including Cirencester and its surroundings such as Lechlade, Fairford and Tetbury - but also Kingswood near Wotton-under-Edge (not be confused with the Bristol district of the same name).

And then it includes many parts of North Wiltshire such as Malmesbury, Cricklade, Castle Combe and Minety.

It also covers the King's Highgrove residence - although convention states the monarch does not actually cast a vote.

Both the former North Wiltshire and the Cotswolds seats have been staunchly Conservative and represented by long-standing Tories for decades.

In the Cotswolds, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown served as an MP between 1992 to 2024, and down the road, James Gray was elected in 1997.

But some polls are indicating a swing to the Liberal Democrats.

What are the issues?

The new constituency covers some of the most expensive places to live in the country.

The average house price is now more than £430,000 and the availability of homes and affordability for first-time buyers is much talked about.

There are thousands of homes being built at The Steadings near Cirencester - but concern over impact on local NHS services and schools.

Almost half the population are over the age of 50, so social care, the NHS and bus services are important.

There are controversial plans for one of the largest solar farms anywhere in the UK at Hullavington, with nearby residents hoping planning rules can be changed to stop it going through.

In this mostly rural area, it's no surprise that farming is also high on the agenda, along with rural crime and flytipping and broadband connectivity.

According to the 2021 census, more than 95% of the population are white, three quarters own their own home, and the average income is £48,000.

Who are the candidates?

Zoë Billingham - Labour

Martin Broomfield - Social Democratic Party

Bob Eastoe - Green

James Gray - Conservative

Owen Humphreys - Independent

Desi Latimer- Reform

Roz Savage - Liberal Democrats

Sandy Steele - Independent

Chris Twells - Liberal Party