THE process of selecting the Labour candidate for Carlisle to stand at the next general election has begun.

Candidates are now looking to secure nominations from Labour members and affiliated trade unions in order to secure the nomination.

Carlisle was a Labour seat from 1964 until 2010, but since then Conservative John Stevenson has been elected at the past four general elections.

At the most recent election in December 2019, John Stevenson beat Labour candidate Ruth Alcroft with 55.2 per cent of the vote and a majority of over 8,000 – the largest majority seen in the constituency for any party since Labour’s landslide election win in 1997.

Carlisle is seen as a must-win seat for Labour if they have any hopes of forming a government at the next general election, which could be just 18 months away.

Cumbria is set to play a big part at the next general election, with Copeland and Workington also high up on Labour’s target list.

Proposals put forward by the parliamentary boundary commission in November could see residents of Dalston, Durdar, Cummersdale and Burgh by Sands incorporated into a new ‘Penrith and the Solway’ constituency with Brampton and Longtown to be included within the Carlisle constituency borders.

So far three candidates have put themselves forward.

Speaking at the start of the selection process, Julie Minns said: “It’s vital that Carlisle has a passionate local voice in Parliament.

“I’m therefore delighted the Labour Party has begun the process to choose our next parliamentary candidate for Carlisle.

“Whoever is selected the most important thing is that we back Carlisle and help secure a Labour Government.”

The process is set to last around six weeks with a result expected in late February.

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