We asked the candidates for Penrith & Solway if they were successful in this year’s General Election, what would the constituency look like in five years’ time.
Parliament runs on a fixed term of five years – so unless another General Election is called in the meantime, or other events force a by-election, the person chosen as MP for Penrith & Solway has until 2029 to make a difference.
We asked every candidate we have been able to make contact with – and would encourage anyone standing in this constituency to get in touch.
Here’s what Penrith & Solway candidates had to say – in their own words:
Mark Jenkinson, of the Conservative Party
Since 2019 we’ve seen investment in North and West Cumbria of over £1 billion. Average wages are up after inflation; NHS spending is up after inflation; and school spending is up after inflation.
We’re installing Hyperfast Broadband across the county; As a government we’re investing hundreds of millions of punds via our councils in transport projects, in buses, in road maintenance, in levelling up projects, in Town Deals, and in high streets projects. We’re dualling the A66 and upgrading the Cumbrian Coast railway line.
We’re investing in our NHS, with a new cancer hospital in Carlisle; a new Cumbrian medical school training our new doctors; new Community Diagnostic Centres to speed up diagnosis, and we’ve rebuilt the hospital at West Cumberland. Facilities we all rely on.
We’re investing in the next generation – refurbishing, expanding and rebuilding our schools. All of these things are the building blocks of future prosperity. It is up to us to seize the opportunities presented by them.
But I see this as simply the start – I want to bring the same drive and energy I’ve shown to get those things over the line, to deliver for those new towns and villages across the constituency. I want to know that in five years we have more choice of better-paying local jobs; that our youngsters know that opportunities are on their doorstep; and that we all have more money in our pockets.
Having been the MP since 2019, I’m in a position to start that work from day one.
Markus Campbell-Savours, the Labour Party
I see a constituency that is healthier and happier, with improved access to GPs and NHS dentists.
An end to the horror stories of people stuck on NHS waiting lists for months. A community secure and confident that we have a government that keeps them safe, with more community police and improved boarder security.
As we navigate a more uncertain world, that we have invested in green technology and new nuclear that delivers the energy independence we need.
A community proud that Britain has taken a lead internationally, tackling climate change and showing that there is an alternative to fossil fuels.
An economy that delivers the growth needed to pay for our public services.
Julia Aglionby, of the Liberal Democrats
Penrith & Solway will be an area where communities thrive, where families thrive and where businesses thrive.
There are a fantastic range of small businesses, community groups and charities operating across north Cumbria.
I know from meeting people across Cumbria that for far too many life is too complex and unfair.
Big corporations especially those offshore must pay their proper taxes. The economy will serve communities not workers serving the economy to benefit a small elite.
We will no longer be held back held back from fulfilling our potential at home, at work and in their community. The LibDems will work for this by scrapping business rates on the high street, access to NHS dentists, insulated homes and business rules that help small businesses and the self employed. All primary school children will have free school meals and all elderly will have free personal care.
In five years, water companies will no longer be dumping raw sewage and we will be a centre for clean energy generation on our homes, on land and off shore. The farmers of Penrith and Solway will receive a fair price for the fantastic food they grow and will be fully paid for letting nature thrive.
This appear huge ask but is eminently possible – it is a reframing of the society we collectively want. The Lib Dems have set out what a fair framework is. With this in place and the abundant enthusiasm and commitment of Cumbrians we can deliver the change we want to see.
Matthew Moody, of Reform UK
The Penrith & Solway constituency is a thriving area of Cumbria with low employment, improved housing stock, new technology hubs, excellent education and a new integrated transport infrastructure.
Anchored by the towns of Penrith, Keswick, Maryport, Wigton and Silloth, the area has seen a reduction in youth migration from the area with improved education, job prospects and housing options.
With new technical courses and apprenticeships focusing on farming, forestry, construction, IT and engineering, this coupled with the implementation of the new SME Enterprise Zone offering zero tax for businesses creating jobs, the new zoning of brownfield sites fast tracking housing choice and self-build together with bringing back 500 empty homes into use has driven new growth, choice and opportunity for Cumbrians.
Farming is buoyant with the additional support for smaller farms, encouraging farmers to farm not retire, reduction in paperwork and scrapping of climate related subsidies means our farmers are producing more food than ever.
With our focus on Buy British, Buy Quality, better prices are being paid for food and generous subsidies for agricultural college places; this means younger people are being attracted back into the profession ensuring our food security and future generations of arable and hill farmers.
The new income threshold helped thousands of our constituents keep more money in their pocket allowing them to spend more on local goods and services adding to a vibrant local economy.
Life is good up north, life is good in Penrith & Solway. Potholes? Haven’t seen one for months.
Shaun Long, of the SDP
If I were to be elected, I would fight to defend our livestock farmers: the SDP are very much focused on food security and domestic production, and preventing the sector from being undercut by cheap, lower-quality imports. We would prioritise local produce in public sector procurement. Land-based education would also receive a boost in funding, to ensure that young people have a route into farming.
I would champion the right of rural people to heat their homes affordably, without being forced into adopting expensive, inefficient and immature new technologies.
I would push for a better future for our young people, and the prospect of an independent family life. How? Through the building of more affordable housing, and offering greater opportunities for vocational training, as well as incentives to go on to train as doctors, nurses and clinicians, thereby expanding our own professional workforce rather than importing labour. Our higher education policy would also offer students the opportunity to study courses in critical infrastructure, research, and key sectors directly supportive of our industrial strategy without any tuition fees.
Our highways would not be in such an appalling state, as I’d push for the direction of greater resources to ensure their timely repair.
Our reforms to education, and vocational training, would see an alleviation in staff shortages in core services such as the NHS and dentistry. We desperately need more NHS dentists in our constituency.
