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 Westmorland & Lonsdale constituency.
Your questions:
Should Cumbria host a GDF?
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrats
No. The evidence I’ve seen is that Cumbria doesn’t have the right geology.
James Townley, Reform UK
In an ideal world, no, but with limited options, the idea needs exploring.
Izzy Solabarrieta, Heritage Party
My initial reaction is no, absolutely not. The last thing Cumbria needs is something like that. But my next thought is well, it’s got to go somewhere. And wherever it goes there will be people nearby who don’t want it.
I’m afraid I would need to know much more about this to be able to have an informed decision.
I can only learn so much by reading about it, I would need to speak to people to be able to make a decision. Feel free to email me at hello@izzyincumbria.org if you would like to send me more info.
What are your views on plans for an offshore coal mine for Whitehaven? What is your party’s stance?
What are the next steps?
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrats
I have long campaigned against the plans for a coal mine for Whitehaven. It is painfully clear that steel producers in this country will not use the coal that this mine produces and therefore we will just be digging up more coal to then export it elsewhere around the world. We should be keeping fossil fuels in the ground and instead be investing in long-term renewable jobs.
James Townley, Reform UK
In an increasingly unstable world, we should bolster anything we can provide domestically. The value of shale gas alone is potentially hundreds of billions over the next 30 years, and job creation would be hugely beneficial to our area.
The UK contributes 1% of global emissions, and completely decarbonising tomorrow would have no impact globally. The onerous measures for a net-zero pledge are not justifiable, especially when countries like China and India are increasing their emissions.
Leading by example is ideal, and while we aim to eliminate fossil fuel reliance, it’s not feasible by 2030. Current measures are making our country and citizens poorer.
Izzy Solabarrieta, Heritage Party
Whitehaven is not in my constituency, and I only recently heard about the horrendous pollution happening there.
It is my view – and I’m sure would be shared by the party – that until it is clear exactly what it happening in Whitehaven with the water pollution, that there should be no further industrial development at all in that area, either in or close to the sea.
Phil Clayton, the Green Party
Cumbria doesn’t need a coal mine. We need to wait for the outcome of the current High Court case, but West Cumbria Mining’s plans are fundamentally flawed.
What is the future for Moorside in West Cumbria? Will Cumbria ever get a new nuclear reactor of any sort?
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrats
I’m somebody who thinks we needs to rapidly phase out fossil fuels. While I’m keen that we focus on investing in renewables, nuclear is a legitimate part of the energy mix so I do hope to see progress at Moorside.
James Townley, Reform UK
I hope it is in our future. Nuclear energy is green, cheaper, and will boost our energy security. Reform UK would fast-track clean nuclear energy, including new small modular reactors built in Britain.
Izzy Solabarrieta, Heritage Party
I first heard about Moorside several years ago and I’m afraid since then it had slipped from my awareness. Looking into it has now reminded me. I will look into this further, but I don’t feel I know enough to give an opinion at this stage.
Phil Clayton, the Green Party
We would invest in renewable energy across the country, but that doesn’t include new nuclear capacity.
