THE LIBERAL Democrat Group on Cumberland's new authority have claimed that "neither Rishi Sunak nor Liz Truss are serious about ‘levelling-up’ for the North of England."

In a statement on the cost of living and "levelling-up" the Liberal Democrats have claimed that the candidates to be the next Prime Minister are proposing "red meat policies" at the expense of Red Wall seats.

Cumberland councillor for Stanwix Urban Brian Werham pointed to Ms Truss' u-turn on a policy which would have cut the pay of public sector workers outside of South East England.

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Cllr Wernham said: "Within 24 hours she had to retract the policy, when the full horror of her poorly thought through, knee-jerk statement sunk in with MPs. She said that she was misquoted, but her press release is still there for all to see on the Internet."

But in backing Ms Truss, Conservative MP for Workington Mark Jenkinson said: “I’m proud to back Liz Truss for leader, she’ll help us unite the party and beat Labour at the next General Election.

“Liz has a clear plan for the economy and I trust her to deliver for the British public."

It came as Ms Truss signed the Northern Research Group pledge. The NRG is a group of backbench Tory MPs in the Red Wall seats won over by the party in the 2019 General Election.

Cllr Wernham said: "Rishi Sunak was filmed on a video talking to Conservative party members in Tunbridge Wells.  He said to them clearly in that video that ‘Areas like yours deserve more money. I already started the undoing funding in deprived urban areas.'

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"What an appalling thing to say. A modest 3-bed semi in Tunbridge Wells is worth £700k.

"Kent County Council say that Tunbridge Wells is the LEAST deprived area in Kent, which is in one of the most prosperous areas of the UK.

"And yet Rishi Sunak is promising to defund urban areas in Cumberland like Cleator Moor and Raffles, and give money to voters in leafy, rich areas in Kent so as to secure his premiership.”

However, in announcing his support for Mr Sunak this week, John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle said: "The reason I’ve decided to support Rishi is I think he’s got the experience and ability to be a good Prime Minister and run the Government, efficiently and effectively. I think his economic policies are realistic and achievable."

He added that Mr Sunak is "very aware of the challenges" Britain's economy phases at this time and "will steer a financially prudent course.”

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