General Election 2024: On the campaign trail

Cumbria Crack asked candidates in the 2024 General Election to give us an overview of what they have been up to while out on the campaign trail.

It is an open invitation to all candidates – here are the people who have taken us up on the offer

Barrow

Simon Fell, The Conservative Party

It’s been another busy few days on the campaign trail this week, campaigning across Barrow & Furness, and covering Ormsgill, Millom, Ulverston, Dalton, Newbarns and Hawcoat to name just a few.
As ever, fascinating conversations on the doorstep with people: chats about the things really bothering them, about the difference between the political discussion we see on TV and what really matters, and about the future of Barrow & Furness.
This week I also launched my campaign video (you can see it on my website)
I have topped in to meet the fantastic team behind North Scale Community Centre, and laid a wreath at Ulverston war memorial in commemoration of the heroes of D-Day.
On Thursday I joined the Beacon lighting at Biggar village as part of those D-Day commemorations. And then today and tomorrow will feature my team and I getting back out onto the streets doing more canvassing.
It’s been a busy week, but I’ve enjoyed talking to people about the over £370 million of investment that we’ve secured into Furness by working together, and what my aspirations for the future are too.

Also standing in the Barrow constituency are:

Michelle Scrogham – The Labour Party
Adrian Waite – Liberal Democrats
Barry Morgan – Reform UK
Lorraine Wrennall – The Green Party
Lisa Morgan – Party of Women

Carlisle

Julie Minns, Labour

After a very very wet start to the General Election Campaign, the weather has been a lot kinder this week. On Tuesday I was thrilled to welcome Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner to Carlisle on the campaign battle bus. Angela – and Emily Thornberry – met with Labour members in Harraby and was keen to hear more about issues in the constituency. Angela was chuffed to receive some gifts for her battle bus. We gave her a Carlisle fridge magnet for the famous fridge along with a small hamper of local goodies from some of our brilliant local businesses such as beer from the Carlisle Brewing Co, Castle Chocolates, biscuits and, of course, XL Cheese crisps!

When I am out door knocking I always ask people about what issues are important to them and anti-social behaviour often comes up – as it did this week in Harraby. Research shows there are 63 fewer police community support officers (PCSOs) in Cumbria since 2010. On top of that the number of full-time equivalent civilian support staff has also fallen by 20 per cent, which means uniformed officers have to spend more of their time on admin and paperwork. Local residents are pleased when I tell them about Labour’s plans for neighbourhood police in every community with 13,000 additional neighbourhood police and PCSOs on the beat in communities across the country, visible and present in local areas, deterring crime and catching criminals, with guaranteed neighbourhood patrols.

The boundary changes have brought some really gorgeous bits of North Cumbria into the Carlisle constituency and I have really enjoyed visiting the more rural areas like Roadhead, Moat and Gilsland, over the last 12 months. On Saturday I was in Brampton – and who wouldn’t want to be in Brampton when the Farmers’ Market is on? – to speak with voters. And then on Wednesday, I was pleased to drop in on Andrew and Ada at Dunblar Rigg Farm near Gilsland. They told me about the challenges of being tenant farmers. Labour has a great offer for rural communities at this election. The party is promising farmers and landowners access to cheap, clean energy, fewer food imports, and a veterinary agreement with the EU, and I’m looking forward to talking to more people about this at the Cumberland Show this weekend!

Also standing in the Carlisle constituency are:

John Stevenson – The Conservative Party
Brian Wernham – Liberal Democrats
Stephen Ward – Reform UK
Gavin Hawkton – The Green Party
Rachel Hayton – SDP
Thomas Lynestrider – Independent
Sean Reed – Independent

Penrith & Solway

Julia Aglionby, Liberal Democrats

Julia has embarked on a four-week 350-mile challenge to cycle the length and breadth of the constituency. Her Pedal 4 Penrith and Solway initiative consists of 10 interconnected day-long rides, during which she will meet organisations, businesses and individuals in every electoral ward, while passing through many villages and towns in the county.

She plans to use this event to highlight the benefits and challenges of rural life, while identifying positive action that can specifically benefit the residents of north Cumbria.

She said: “I am out cycling two or three days a week and I hope to speak to as many people and organisations as possible along the way. I will also be visiting cafes and ice cream shops on my routes, so please do say hello if you see me. Penrith & Solway needs its MP to be a champion for local issues and, if elected on July 4, I will absolutely stand up for the needs of the people of north Cumbria.”

Also standing in the Penrith & Solway constituency are:

Mark Jenkinson – Conservative Party
Markus Campbell-Savours – Labour Party
Matthew Moody – Reform UK
Susan Denham-Smith – The Green Party
Shaun Long – SDP
Roy Ivinson
Chris Johnston – Independent

Whitehaven & Workington

Chris Wills, Liberal Democrats

Chris is support people in Egremont who are opposing plans to build a new housing estate by Gleeson Homes. He said: “When all the people in Egremont appreciate that none of the proposed houses are social homes that the town desperately needs, there’s going to be a mighty big petition going to Cumberland Council.

“In our threatened world, with food security a major issue, why on earth are we looking to destroy good growing land? We need to make much more effort to find more suitable building land, and, when we do, prioritise genuinely affordable houses being built as the majority on proposed developments.”

“Years of growing potatoes, barley, and other really needed crops will disappear, and an ‘executive’ housing estate appear in their place.”

Also standing in the Whitehaven & Workington constituency are:

Andrew Johnson – Conservative Party
Josh MacAlister – Labour Party
David Surtees – Reform UK
Jill Perry – The Green Party

Westmorland & Lonsdale

Pippa Smith, the Labour Party

Westmorland & Lonsdale Labour launched its General Election campaign at an outdoor meeting in Kendal last weekend.

Pippa Smith, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, said that the General Election offered a rare opportunity to change the direction of the country.

She said: “A vote for Labour here sends a message that we want things to change. It says that we want a voice in the national conversation; that we don’t want Westmorland and Lonsdale to be forgotten.”

Lord Clark of Windermere also gave an address thanking campaigners and discussing Labour history in the area.

Standing in the Westmorland & Lonsdale constituency are: