Hitchin Conservative candidate Bim Afolami has pointed to his experience and track record as he looks to fight off challengers in next month's General Election.

Mr Afolami has been the MP for the now abolished Hitchin and Harpenden constituency since 2017, having won re-election in the 2019 General Election.

He's seeking another five years in Parliament - but faces a strong challenge from Labour's Alistair Strathern, the former Mid Bedfordshire MP whose address has moved into the new standalone constituency of Hitchin.

He says that the three main reasons he should get your vote are "my experience, my commitment to the community and my record of delivering for the community".

On that record he says: "I have delivered by saving local pubs that we know are so important to rural areas. I have raised thousands of pounds for local charities and have worked hard to oppose the expansion of Luton Airport, which would be hugely detrimental to our villages."

The accomplishment he says he is most proud of is his campaigning over Luton Airport, telling the Comet: "I have led the fight against the expansion, being an active local voice against it and ensuring Luton Council can no longer mark their own homework."

He is also proud of his work on more than 41,000 constituent cases in the last Parliament.

Housing is a key issue for the 38-year-old Treasury Minister, who said: "We need more houses for young people and more social housing. That needs to be focused on areas like the centre of Hitchin."

When asked, he describes himself as a YIMBY, but stresses that this is "only in the right places", warning against Sir Keir Starmer's plans to build over the Green Belt if a Labour government was elected.

On his Labour rival, he's keen to highlight his experience and local credentials, saying: "I've been a Minister in the Treasury and worked in the City of London as well as living in this constituency for many years.

"I'm standing against somebody who has been here less than a year, was a North London councillor and then jumped from the seat of Mid Beds to Hitchin. I'll let people make their own judgements about who the best candidate is from that."

Despite this, he stresses that he has a lot of respect for Mr Strathern and wishes to run a positive campaign.

Read more:

 • General Election 2024: Hitchin candidate mission statements

 • Interview: Chris Lucas, Lib Dem candidate for Hitchin

 • Interview: Hitchin's Reform UK candidate Charles Bunker

If re-elected, he says that a big focus would be improving pedestrian access to Hitchin station. He describes the slow progress on this (which he blames on the Labour/Lib Dem council) as his biggest disappointment.

He urged people unsure on who to back to vote for the best local candidate, saying: "People who are reading this interview know me. They see me around and I'm present in the area."

Nationally, he urges voters to give the Conservatives another five years as they have 'a clear plan' that would be jeopardised by a 'reckless' Labour government.

Quick fire questions:

Favourite hobbies outside of Politics - "Playing cricket, as well as reading and writing essays on history."

Favourite TV programme - "Poldark, it has the perfect mix of politics and history."

Favourite meal - " That one's easy, spaghetti bolognese".

As well as Mr Afolami and Mr Strathern, the other candidates in Hitchin are: Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats), Charles Bunker (Reform UK), Will Lavin (Green Party) and Sid Cordle (Christian People's Alliance).