NORTH Cumbrian MPs have said they are confident their party can deliver on Red Wall election pledges, in light of a stark warning from Northern newspapers.

“Don’t turn your back on the North” was the message from Northern news publishers as Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss prepare to battle it out for the Conservative Party leadership, and Number 10, in debates this week.

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss made it to the final two in the contest to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

And Northern titles are asking the two contenders what they will do to deliver on the promises of their predecessor during the 2019 General Election.

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Conservative Cumbrian MPs are standing by the party’s senior figures.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “Both have signed the Northern Research Group pledge, they recognise the importance of the North economically and politically. I think whoever emerges as the winner will be a very credible Prime Minister.”

But he said it is important the new leader delivers on the election pledges made in 2019.

“It’s good that Northern newspapers are coming together as one, it emphasises the importance of the Levelling-Up agenda.”

News and Star:

In a blog post, Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said that he is backing Liz Truss for leader because he believes she will deliver on the Conservative Party’s election promises: “I want a Prime Minister who will keep the promises we made to voters in Workington in 2019, one that has been focussed on delivery of that manifesto - not on planning their leadership campaign, or on instigating the opportunity.”

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Dr Neil Hudson, MP For Penrith and The Border, said: "For the first time in the country's history a Government publicly prioritised the reduction of regional inequalities when Levelling Up featured in our 2019 Conservative Party manifesto.

"A manifesto I was proud to be elected on and one which rightly committed Government to publishing a White Paper this year aimed at sharing prosperity across the whole country.”

But he is “under no illusions” about region-specific issues facing the North “and the need for Government to work faster to achieve its laudable aims.”

Dr Hudson said he is “confident” Mr Sunak and Ms Truss will make Levelling-Up a priority in the North.

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