This is what Conservatives fear about Sir Keir Starmer most - and what it means for Shropshire

In an exclusive interview with the Shropshire Star, he expressed deep concerns about the implications of a Labour victory in the next general election, particularly regarding post-Brexit trade agreements.

He said: "London is a very different place to rest of UK.

"He [Starmer] represents one of the most pro-Remainer parts of country and that has not gone away - North London Islington.

"He has no commercial background and never talks about exports and commerce," he continued.

"We have signed 92 Trade agreements all of which are commensurate or better than what we had through EU and he has fought against every single one of those new agreements.

"We have entered world's largest trading block, the CPTPP, and he opposed that.

"Ask yourself how many Labour MPs have set up their own businesses before entering Parliament or worked in commerce I believe you would not be able to name one."

Trade, Mr Kawczynski says, will eventually be the key benefit of Brexit as he explained how its of relevance to the people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire.

The aforementioned CPTPP is of particular interest to him at the moment.

The UK was recently accepted into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is a free-trade agreement between 11 countries across the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

It's no-joke trade deal either, with 99 per cent of current UK goods exports to CPTPP countries being eligible for zero tariffs.

Many people and groups are opposed to this arrangement as it raises questions about food safety standards, but for those who support trade deals like this, the prospect of reintegration with the EU is an unpleasant one. It simply wouldn't be possible if Britain were a member of the European Union.

The cost-of-living crisis - which Kawczynski largely blames on shocks to the system such as the 2008 crisis, the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the 2023 energy crisis - is one of the main concerns amongst Shrewsbury voters going into the next election.

And he argues that the only way peoples' living standards are going to improve is if Britain, as a country, increases its overall wealth.

This is obviously done through trade, but it's more complicated than it sounds. CPTPP would mean identifying consumer trends in distant countries, then adjusting behaviours and setting up businesses in Shropshire to export to the east. Not an easy task. The advice on how to get going with this is genuinely being produced though.

Shrewsbury voted in favour of Brexit by nearly 57 per cent on a relatively high turn out, and for many, it represented an opportunity for increased sovereignty and economic autonomy (trade agreements), but that is only one side of the coin.

The other side is more populist and centres around immigration policy. Kawczynski emphasised the importance of protecting what he sees as the hard-won gains of Brexit for his constituents - the ability to control our borders.

He's currently demanding to know for example how hotels to house illegal immigrants are chosen by government, and is calling for an end to housing migrants in a particular hotel in Shrewsbury. He claims Tory MPs will remove every single Lords Amendment to the Rwanda Bill when it reenters the Commons next week.

However, it's important to note that all this apprehension is not universal. While Kawczynski and some Conservatives sound the alarm about the perceived risks of a Labour victory (as you would expect), others argue for a more nuanced approach.

There are voices within the constituency who believe that cooperation with the EU on certain matters could be beneficial and that a Labour government might offer opportunities for dialogue and compromise. Sir Keir has also been relatively steadfast since he became leader on saying that Labour wouldn't reverse Brexit in any shape or form. There are elements within his party that would no doubt apply some pressure though.

Nonetheless, the prevailing sentiment among many Conservatives in Shropshire remains one of vigilance against what they perceive as the threat of Brexit reversal under a Sir Keir Starmer-led administration.

As the political landscape continues to shift and evolve, the debate over Brexit and its implications for Shropshire will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of political discourse.

The outcome of the next general election will not only determine the direction of the country but also shape the future trajectory of Shropshire and its residents.

*In the coming months, the Shropshire Star will be speaking to people and politicians on all sides of the most important debates for the county.