We asked you to submit your questions to candidates standing in the 2024 General Election.
From all your submissions, we chose 10 that represented the broad issues you wanted answers to.
We asked every candidate we had contact details for to respond.
We’ll be publishing them in the run-up to the General Election with the responses from the candidates who replied from each constituency.
These are the answers are from candidates standing in the Barrow & Furness constituency.
Your question:
Should Cumbria host a GDF?
Adrian Waite, Liberal Democrats
We need to be very careful when we select sites for the disposal of radioactive waste. The evidence that I have seen suggests that Cumbria does not have the right geology for a geological disposal facility so I do not believe one should be located here.
Barry Morgan, Reform UK
Reform UK has no policy as yet on this but, speaking for myself, I would seek a nationwide review while ensuring a decision is made within six months after assessment of seismic and porosity risks.
Lisa Morgan, Party of Women
Not my core concern for this election.
What are your views on plans for an offshore coal mine for Whitehaven? What is your party’s stance? What are the next steps?
Adrian Waite, Liberal Democrats
When I first came to Cumbria it was to work for Copeland Council, first as finance director and then as strategic director.
Our main priority at that time was to protect and create employment opportunities in Copeland. Copeland was, and is, a place with significant pockets of deprivation.
Copeland people also, rightly, take a pride in their industrial heritage. Our main priority at that time was to protect and create employment opportunities. I understand the need to create employment opportunities in Copeland.
However, I don’t think the proposed mine is the right option. Coal is not the fuel of the future, and we need to achieve zero carbon emissions as part of tackling climate change.
We need to develop industries that are clean and green and offer high value and secure employment opportunities. Copeland, and Cumbria in general, is well placed to develop such industries.
Barry Morgan, Reform UK
Clean coal mining – music to my ears – it is Reform UK policy. Personally, as a resident of Whitehaven, I whole heartedly support the reopening of this mine and hope it will be first of many throughout the UK, both on and offshore. The coking coal issue is not dead in this country and the project also presents a major export opportunity.
Lisa Morgan, Party of Women
Not my core concern for this election.
What is the future for Moorside in West Cumbria? Will Cumbria ever get a new nuclear reactor of any sort?
Adrian Waite, Liberal Democrats
I am in favour of phasing out fossil fuels. I think this should mainly be done by investing in renewable fuel and there are many opportunities to do this in Barrow and Furness.
However, nuclear fuel is a legitimate part of the energy mix so I do hope to see progress at Moorside.
Barry Morgan, Reform UK
Reform prefers new small modular reactors but it makes sense to deploy additional nuclear power projects in proximity to an existing facility like Sellafield, if only to take advantage of the existing skills base
Lisa Morgan, Party of Women
Not my core concern for this election.
