A Cotswold District Council by-election next month will be a two-horse race as only the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have fielded candidates, writes Carmelo Garcia.

The election for the Campden and Vale ward seat on Cotswold District Council was triggered after Tory Councillor Mark Annett was disqualified for not attending a meeting in six months.

The poll is scheduled to take place on February 3 and the candidates standing are Danny Loveridge (Lib Dem) and Tom Stowe (Con).

Mr Loveridge grew up in Mickleton and attended Chipping Campden school.

The Liberal Democrats say he has been active in community campaigns such as fighting to protect local green fields and raising money for the local recreation ground.

“Our part of the Cotswolds is a great place to live, work and visit but I believe it could be even better,” he said.

“That’s why if I’m elected, I want to work to improve public transport to help people get around and also reduce carbon emissions.

“I also want to ensure that any new housing in our area is genuinely affordable, we’ve seen hundreds of new homes built in our area but for many people who’ve grown up here even renting a home is a distant dream.

“Many of us feel taken for granted by the Conservatives who’ve failed to tackle some of the key issues, if residents elect me, I’ll ensure they’ve got someone fighting our area’s corner.

“The Lib Dems have been delivering for residents since they’ve been running the district council whether that’s on the climate emergency, the response to Covid-19 pandemic or helping communities raise money for local events, I’d love to join the team to help deliver even more.”

Mr Stowe, was also brought up in Mickleton where he currently lives and is the managing director of the family business Vale Press.

The Conservatives say they were delighted to announce his candidacy and hope he will join Gina Blomefield the other Tory councillor who represents the ward.

Mr Stowe said: “I’m excited to have been selected as candidate for the area where I was brought up, live and work.

“I’m really keen to be a strong voice to lobby for activities for our young people, for good housing for locals, high-quality local services, better infrastructure and value-for-money for taxpayers.”

To take part in the election anyone 18 or over who lives in the ward must be registered to vote and residents who aren’t registered will have until January 18 to do so.

To do so they should visit the Government website at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact Cotswold District Council if unable to register online.