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 this week:
Penrith & Solway
Julia Aglionby, Liberal Democrats
Earlier this month, former Penrith & The Border MP Rory Stewart and political podcaster tweeted supportively about Julia’s mammoth bike ride around the constituency, saying “A lovely campaign approach here…I love the idea of candidates moving slowly across every mile of their patch creating time and space for serendipitous encounters and geographical revelations…”
On Monday Julia turned up on her bike at Stoneraise Primary School to discuss the School Council education policy, funding and staffing. This was part of her 350-mile cycle ride around Penrith & Solway. Julia was grilled by pupils from years three to six.
The children presented Julia with a long piece of paper noting down their ideas on how to improve schools and shared these with Julia. Questions included; “What helps us learn? What funding would your party provide, what could help children attend school more and What would help teachers stay in their jobs?” Key messages were; we need a good school environment, well supported teachers and being kind and caring. They were very clear of the importance of a broad curriculum, to help them when grown up looking for work and supporting their family.
Julia said: “It was so uplifting to meet such a bright set of children – who are thoughtful and caring, with a thirst for learning and value their teachers. If elected I will be taking these ideas to London to present to the new Education Secretary
“It was distressing to hear from the head Clem Coady about how difficult it is to maintain the building since 90% of their funding now goes on staff salaries leaving little for maintenance or equipment. As worrying is the recent loss of three teachers; leaving teaching for better wages in non-professional jobs with less stress. It is essential that funding for schools is increased to ensure teacher retention and healthy buildings.
“The only way Stoneraise school has remained viable is by increasing their roll by 60% above the allocated numbers, but repair and maintenance issues continue. Rising damp is a growing problem and shower panelling is bring used to cover this up but this leaves classrooms musky with damp still penetrating.”
Matthew Moody, Reform UK
This week has been busy with a full diary of events, hustings, filming and travelling the constituency.
I attended the Motorcycle Action Group in Egremont on Tuesday evening on behalf of my fellow Whitehaven & Workington candidate, David Surtees who could not attend due to illness. This was a lively debate with lots of great questions around issues which certainly effect all of us living in a rural constituency such as the run to net zero with no plan on how to get to net zero, the ban on diesel and petrol combustion engines with no reliable alternative readily available, whether the co2 emitted from motorbikes was that significant given the size of the engines, the lengthy extortionate and frankly confusing licencing regime and of course the state of the roads.
For me, hustings is a great way to meet people passionate about their local community or a specific segment of the market (such as motorbikes of whom there are over 1.5 million in the UK) and to deny people the right to quiz and debate candidates standing for the post is in my opinion disrespectful and arrogant and perhaps shows the character and focus of the candidate.
I was pleased to film for ITV Border in Penrith on Wednesday and give the Reform UK perspective on issues in the constituency and of course our message to the electorate – lower taxes, cheaper energy, zero waiting lists and secure borders.
The rest of the week has been filled with coordinating the leaflet and boards across the county and answering various requests for interviews and commentary from news organisations. I’ve been out delivering leaflets and residents should be seeing these come through the doors. With such a wide area and with being a brand new party, it’s not as easy as we would like but our kind volunteers are doing a fabulous job and my thanks go out to them.
I was due to speak last night at the Silloth Community Group and very much looking forward to meeting and discussing local issues with the residents of Silloth and surrounding areas.
Penrith & Solway candidates
Whitehaven & Workington candidates
Carlisle
Julie Minns, Labour
- I watched England’s first match against Serbia at the Milbourne Arms, and after a promising start I certainly enjoyed the local beer more than the match.
The weather – if not England’s performance – improved for the second game, I joined a massive crowd at Brunton Park to watch Denmark vs England. The new fan zone is a fantastic initiative from the club’s new owners and is another sign of the renewed energy around the club and I hope it bodes well for Carlisle United next season.
- The news that Tesco will be opening a store in the city centre is good news for Carlisle.
We have too many empty shops in the town centre and some key large buildings like Debenhams and Bulloughs need to find a new purpose.
Labour has a plan to support our high streets that includes supporting small businesses and replacing business rates.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the indoor market which is where I chose to do my campaign video. It is a fantastic asset for our city and very much like Carlisle itself has the potential to be even better.
- We have spoken to over 1,000 people this week. In a typical day we will be in three or four locations around the constituency, either meeting people on the doorstep or at local events.
I have also had a lot of interesting conversations with parents at the school gate each day where I have been keen to hear about the issues that matter to local people.
- Thankfully, there was also time this week to indulge my passion for wild swimming with a dip in Ullswater at the end of the longest day.
Carlisle candidates
Barrow and Furness
Adrian Waite, Liberal Democrats
Here are some of the issues that I came across while campaigning last week.
In Barrow I came across concerns about environmental services including refuse collection and general maintenance. Apparently, one area has not had a regular bin service since not long after Christmas, missed collections are frequent and residents are having to wait a full month to get recycling bins emptied. Residents also tell me that verges are only cut once a year, so they look awful, and weeds are prevalent; and that gutters are not swept, and drains have been blocked. Liberal Democrats take a pride in community politics, including listening to people in the community and getting basic services right. I was concerned to hear that the Council does not appear to be getting it right in this part of Barrow and have forwarded these concerns to them.
Residents in Ulverston are concerned about the closure of the library and everyone who I speak with would like to see it reopened soon. I have raised these issues with the Council. It appears they are investigating whether a combined Coro and Library offer is the best solution and will consult once various options have been worked up. The Council wishes to plan and deliver its services in Ulverston in a joined-up way that supports the ‘town planning’ approach and the over-arching vision and ambitions in the Ulverston Place Plan, including by:
- Continuing to provide a full library service in Ulverston and consulting with the community.
- Protecting and enhancing The Coronation Hall’s role.
- Working with arts and cultural providers to support and enhance Ulverston’s reputation as a vibrant arts and festival town.
I am sure that residents of Ulverston would like the council to do this with a sense of urgency.
I had a meeting with Excluded UK. Excluded UK was established in May 2020 to represent the 3.8million British taxpayers excluded from parity of government financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic. These include many people who run small businesses, the self-employed and people who receive pensions or benefits. I think the next government should address these issues. Excluded UK is campaigning for:
- An apology from government so this injustice is recognised and assurance that this will never happen again.
- Parity of support.
- Acknowledgement of loss of earnings and profit and consequential loss.
On Thursday I was interviewed by Radio Cumbria on several issues. I confirmed that the Liberal Democrats would maintain Britain’s defence commitments including the submarine programme at BAE systems; and that we would revitalise town centres, including Barrow, by abolishing business rates. The interview was broadcast on Friday.
Many of the voters who email me want the government to protect the environment and wildlife. I have been replying to voters to explain how I would do this as Member of Parliament for Barrow & Furness.
I was heartened to receive this response from a voter in Ulverston: “Thank you for your response, which I found very encouraging… I have no faith in the Conservatives’ empty promises. If you should be fortunate enough to be voted in, I look forward to you following through on your worthwhile ‘green’ ambitions.”
