RISHI SUNAK MP visited Stroud this afternoon as part of his leadership campaign. 

The former chancellor - who is hoping to be the country's next Prime Minister - visited Lampern House in Uley near Dursley. 

Mr Sunak spoke earlier to almost 200 Conservative members and explained why he wants to be the country’s next leader. 

He’s also due to face opponent Liz Truss later this evening at a hustings at Cheltenham racecourse. 

The two remaining candidates have until the end of August to convince around 160,000 Tory members why they should be the next party leader.

During the visit Mr Sunak spoke about:

  • Stroud foodbank 
  • Energy companies and the rising cost of energy bills
  • Dursley and Stroud bus delays and cancellations and holding Stagecoach accountable 
  • A lack of NHS England dentistry appointments 

Also at the visit was Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie, Gloucester MP Richard Graham and Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper. 

When speaking about Dursley and bus services he said: “Bus transport is very important for rural areas, I get that.

“It's not just about big cities, where you think there are public services that need to be provided. 

“Rural areas have needs too but the needs are different.”

When speaking about NHS England dentistry appointments he said: “I do want to try and figure out how we get more efficiency from the NHS because all of us are now paying a lot more for it. 

“And that’s the right thing to do because it's a service that we rely on and we care about.”

More to follow soon.