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 & Furness
Adrian Waite, Liberal Democrats
- I have launched a Facebook page that you would be welcome to visit at https://www.facebook.com/bandfld/
- On Monday I went to a hustings in Ulverston that was organised by Community Solutions. Issues discussed included the role of community and voluntary groups, the lack of social housing, the lack of public transport, the rights of trans people, global warming and compensation for veterans. An excellent opportunity to listen to the views of all the people who were there. I am grateful to Community Solutions for inviting me.
- News broke that Westmorland & Furness Council has received a second application for development at Roanhead. The council is already considering an application for a resort with 233 lodges to which many environmental organisations and residents have objected. Barrow & Furness Liberal Democrats objected to the initial proposal and will object to the new one on the grounds that these developments would be detrimental to the environment and wildlife and would not help the local economy.
- On Thursday I went to a hustings in Barrow Town Hall that was organised by Cando FM. It was attended by all the candidates in Barrow & Furness and we all answered questions from listeners including on economic development, the national health service, adult social care and housing. You can hear it here:
- While in Barrow I also had an interesting conversation with a voter in Hindpool about the need to revive Barrow town centre. He thought that Ulverston benefits greatly from the Dickensian Day and suggested that making Dave Day an annual event could have a similar effect in Barrow.
- Many thanks to all the hundreds (literally) of people who have emailed me with questions about subjects ranging from housing to animal welfare and from health to food banks. I will reply to all these enquiries but, because there are so many of them, there may be a delay. Please bear with me and please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions to ask or comments to make.
Candidates for Barrow & Furness
Carlisle
Julie Minns, the Labour Party
It has been another hectic week of campaigning, but the most important thing for me was to take time to focus on the D-Day commemorations.
The British Legion did themselves proud again with the service at Saint Cuthbert’s Church, followed by Evensong at the Cathedral, and I enjoyed the beacon lighting at Cotehill. My Dad served in Italy in the Second World War and was on the outskirts of Rome on D-Day, so commemorations like the 80th anniversary are personal, poignant and an important moment of reflection.
When Brampton residents contacted me I immediately wrote to the chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria NHS to ask how it proposes to replace the lost capacity.
I have been promised an update from its dental team, but this is another unwanted reminder that it is becoming more and more difficult for people to access NHS dental care. That’s completely unacceptable.
We’re in this situation because of 14 years of Tory neglect of NHS dentistry. It simply hasn’t been a priority to the Tories and that has to change.
In between all the visits and campaigning, I also managed to take my mum to hospital, not once, but twice this week.
As always, I’m immensely grateful for the care and professionalism of our staff in the NHS. And it’s about time they had a Government that supports them as much as they support us.
Candidates for Carlisle
Penrith & Solway
Julia Aglionby, Liberal Democrats
Day four of Julia’s cycling tour of the constituency saw her pedal from Maryport to Wigton.
Julia was delighted to call in at PiNC’s Rainbow West HQ in Maryport. This is a new initiative by Pride in North Cumbria to provide a drop in centre for LGBTQ+ young people aged from 13 to 24.
In small towns there remains prejudice and discrimination against those who are not heterosexual – this makes it very hard for young people. Julia was questioned by the PiNC team on the Lib Dem policies on sexuality. The Liberal Democrats are crystal clear in their manifesto, we will respect and defend the rights of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, including trans and non-binary people, and ban all forms of conversion therapies and practices.
I was delighted to meet with the staff and young people in the Rainbow West HQ. It is though both sad and unacceptable that in 2024 young people in Cumbria are still facing discrimination and bullying at school due to their sexuality. Rainbow West HQ is a fantastic safe space to enable them to meet together and provide support and friendship. This is critical to mental well being and the ability for all to live a fulfilled life.
She also visited Allonby and Silloth to meet with small businesses.
At Abbeytown I met with Archdeacon Stuart who covers a huge patch from Thursby to near Millom. The Church of England is the backbone of so many community activities across rural Cumbria with 235 parishes. Many of these as well as providing spiritual care undertake local outreach to nurture communities, tackle isolation and address poverty. There are also multiple youth groups rung by churches in this area catering to 200 young people. The churches across Penrith and Solway are fantastic cultural icons – with Holme Cultram Abbey being a particular case in point – lovingly restored.
Penrith & Solway candidates
Westmorland & Lonsdale
Pippa Smith, of the Labour Party
The sun was out for campaigning in Tebay and Orton on Saturday, rounded off with a few purchases at the chocolate shop! I’ve also enjoyed a trip up to Appleby with my campaign team.
Thanks to the Clean River Kent Campaign for organising hustings on Wednesday night. I enjoyed sharing Labour’s policies to make the polluter, not the public, pay for the water companies’ messes. If elected, a Labour government will put failing water companies under special measures to clean up our water.
We will give regulators new powers to block the payment of bonuses to executives who pollute our waterways and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers. We will impose automatic and severe fines for wrongdoing and ensure independent monitoring of every outlet.
On Thursday I took a quick trip to Manchester for the launch of Labour’s manifesto. I’m particularly excited about our missions to make Britain a clean energy superpower, kickstart economic growth and build an NHS fit for the future. And I’m delighted we’re pledging votes at 16!
If elected I’ll also be fighting for Westmorland and Lonsdale to benefit from Labour’s Dentistry Rescue Plan, ensuring this area is a priority for recruiting new dentists.
Westmorland & Lonsdale candidates
Whitehaven & Workington
Chris Wills, Liberal Democrats
I’m building a body of Lib Dem members and supporters in Egremont and St Bees.
You never know with these situations but it seems telling that a number of people have told me, when I’ve knocked on their doors in Egremont and St Bees, that they haven’t seen anyone from any political party for years.
There are a lot of people who are uncertain which candidate or party they will vote for. I can understand their uncertainty but it has led to some great conversations.
Josh MacAlister, the Labour Party
With just three weeks to go until polling day my team and I have been out on the streets talking to voters across West Cumbria every single day. This week we’ve been everywhere from up in Flimby to down in Nethertown, from Whitehaven across to Asby. We’re leaving no stone unturned as we campaign for the change we want to deliver in West Cumbria.
The main issues coming up on the doorstep haven’t changed much over the last 12 months – it’s still the NHS and the cost of living that dominate people’s concerns. They want an MP and a government that will address these basic issues, but they also want some hope for the future, which is why I’m banging on so much about my industrial plan to transform West Cumbria’s economy with new nuclear and a major expansion of the Port of Workington to attract new industry and advanced manufacturing jobs.
In addition to daily campaigning I’m keeping up a regular schedule of visits to local organisations. This week I met with Andy’s Man Club in Whitehaven, who do such important work with men struggling with mental health issues in our area, and who I’m proud to champion.
I also brought Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, to West Cumbria to meet some of our upland farmers and hear their concerns and asks of the next government.
Farming is an important part of our history here but it also has such a vital role to play in our future. I know Steve took lots away from those meetings. Thanks to Julius and Kirsty for breakfast at The Sawmill in Wasdale and Kevin and family at Strudda Bank Farm!
David Surtees, Reform UK
They say timing is everything in politics.
Unfortunately just before this snap election was called I was diagnosed with cancer.
I am being treated with chemotherapy and radium for six weeks, Thank you NHS, This is certainly curtailing my ability to campaign for which I apologise.
Our campaign is not centrally funded, so I thank the small group of constituent supporters and the wonderful volunteers helping me. I have recorded early interviews with ITV and BBC before I stated treatment. I have an overflowing mailbag which I am working through.
I make this promise: I will fight and win against this disease, I will fight and win for my constituency I was born in and love, join me in delivering a better future for us all.
