Rishi Sunak - the man aiming to take over from William Hague as Richmond MP

He has been out on the campaign trail, knocking on doors in Bilsdale. It has been a good day out amid the glorious countryside of the North York Moors, although it could have been more productive with most people he met already being staunch Conservative voters. He knocked on the door of Middlesbrough FC owner and former Labour councillor, Steve Gibson, who lives in the area, but nobody was about.

Few, even within the Conservative Party, will have heard of the 34-year-old before his selection to contest the country's safest Tory seat. Other than a week's work experience at Conservative Central Office years ago and the odd day volunteering on the election trail for other candidates, he has not already had a long career with the Tories like other hopefuls from all the big parties who often work as researchers, party officials and special advisors before seeking election.

Born in Hampshire, Rishi's father is a family GP and his mother ran a chemist's shop. The family is originally from northern Indian and Rishi is a Hindu. He attended Winchester College, Oxford University and earned a scholarship to Stanford University.

He went on to co-found a large investment company and has worked around the world, including Silicon Valley in California, where he met his wife, Akshata, the daughter of Narayana Murthy, a co-founder of multi-national technology company Infosys. The couple have two young children and have rented a house in the village of Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton.

Local political party offices can often be rather poky affairs, but Richmond Conservative Association, is based in a modern two-storey unit on a business park on the edge of Northallerton.

Rishi looks glad of the sit down after a day's door knocking and even more glad to get a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits. He tells me is a man of habit and has to have a double choc muffin in the morning and two biscuits with a cup of tea in the afternoon. I wanted the interview to be more about the man than the politics, but this was the only glimpse I would get for the time being.

Before I had even stared my chocolate digestive, we were talking immigration. Rishi, who speaks at speed and with enthusiasm on most subjects, says it is one of the top three issues on the doorstep and has posted out a leaflet setting out his fairly unequivocal views on the issue - less immigration and more control over who comes, in summary.

"If we don't address the issue we leave it to people who are prejudiced," he says.

"If people want to come to our country they need to speak our language and they need to respect British values and not try to undermine them."

From immigration, we move on to addressing social deprivation in the constituency by helping small businesses and improving schools.

"Education is a passion of mine," says Rishi.

"It's a firm belief to me that every child, no matter where they come from, should have access to world class education."

The candidate says he is already speaking to people in government about rural school funding. As the conversation progresses, it appears he is already talking to a lot of people about issues on the patch he hopes to represent. He's also done a lot of research.

On the subject of farming, I try to catch him out with talk of milk prices but find myself quickly out of my depth when he moves on to CAP reforms and the six-day standstill rule. Rishi says he's become a regular visitor to auction marts.

An unknown supporter has predicted that he would spend a lot of time moving in agricultural circles, like an auction mart ring. Shortly after his selection was announced a brand new pair of JCB wellies arrives at the office.

Rishi rang JCB to thank them, but they had no knowledge of the gift.

The candidate describes Leyburn auction as his toughest gig yet.

"I was speaking to the farmers in the ring and I turned round to see this cow staring straight at me. I did get a laugh at the end which I was pleased with."

The laughter was in response to an anecdote about a visitor to his campaign stall in Leyburn market place.

"The man said to my agent 'ah yes Hague, he's a good bloke but a bit pale'.

"He then points at me and says 'this one's got a better tan'."

Over the next couple of hours, we discuss a wide range of policies and issues. He questions whether the national park authority has got the right balance between protecting the environment and creating vibrant communities, he doesn't have a problem with new legislation which council leaders claim will reduce the amount of affordable housing in rural areas and he says he will do all he can to protect the Friarage.

You can read more about Rishi's policies on his website, but what about the man? Well, he's a Southampton FC supporter and, although he admits it is a risk given that he might not win the race to represent Richmond, he has already applied for a Yorkshire Cricket Club season ticket.

He is a Star Wars fan, but thanks to his two young daughters, is also enjoys Peppa Pig and even has a Daddy Pig t-shirt. Rishi doesn't drink, but is addicted to Coca Cola, and his favourite foods are sandwiches and chips.

And what about his ambition? Several people have commented that Rishi must have been earmarked for the top. The suggestion makes him laugh. He says he did get a letter from David Cameron congratulating him on his selection, as all successful candidates do, but there were no handwritten messages at the bottom promising a role in the cabinet if he and the Tories won.

After thinking for a moment, he says if he is elected he wants to make a difference, as he saw his parents do in their community in Hampshire.

He adds that people in the constituency have huge respect for William Hague, with many telling him "you've got big boots to fill lad".

"My ambition would be to have that respect that William does and try to fill those boots," he adds.

Also in the running for the May election are Ukip candidate Matthew Cooke, Liberal Democrat Chris Foote-Wood, Labour’s Mike Hill, and independents John Blackie and Robin Scott.

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