We asked the parliamentary candidates for the Carlisle constituency to tell us about themselves so we can get a glimpse at the people behind the politics.
We asked them a range of questions to get to know them a little bit better - from the political heroes to something surprising about themselves.
Here's what they had to say...
John Stevenson, Conservative Party:
Family status: Married
Education: University of Dundee and Chester Law College
Last job: Member of Parliament for Carlisle
What prompted you to go into politics? Always been interested. My father was a councillor.
What previous political experience do you have? Was a councillor on Carlisle City Council for 11 years and actively involved in the local party association.
Have you ever been a member of another party? No
Have you stood as an MP before? 2010 / 2015 / 2017 and 2019
Who is your political hero? Gorbachev – he dismantled the Soviet Union without causing massive bloodshed across Europe
What is your hobby? Not much opportunity, but enjoy cooking and playing golf when I can
What is your ideal night out? A night in
What is one thing that you have done which may surprise readers? My first job was working on a milk round.
Your proudest achievement? Other than marriage, winning the Election in 2010
Your biggest fear? Heights
Describe yourself in three words? Resilient, independent and reliable
Julie Minns, Labour Party:
Family status: One adult daughter, a devoted daughter and carer to my 90 year old mam, and niece to my 99 year old aunt, Betty.
Education: Robert Ferguson Primary and Trinity Schools Carlisle, Newcastle University
Last job: Senior Manager, UK Power Networks
What prompted you to get into politics? Watching Carlisle's factories and engineering works close under the Tories in the 1980s
What previous political experience did you have? I've run an MP's office, written parliamentary legislation, questions and briefings and given evidence to Parliamentary Committees. I was previously a Councillor, School Governor and a trustee for a national charity.
Have you ever been a member of another party? No
Have you stood as MP before? No
Who is your political hero? Barbara Castle, her Road Safety Act introduced seatbelts and breathalysers, she then went on to introduce the Equal Pay Act, and brought in child benefit as a payment to mothers rather than through the father's pay packet.
What is your hobby? Coldwater swimming, either in Ullswater or in the Eden at Wetheral, but never if there's been one of the far too frequent sewage discharges!
What’s your ideal night out? An evening spent at Carlisle Turkish Baths (before the former City Council closed it!)
What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? I've stayed in touch with my American pen friend for nearly fifty years. Her teacher visited my primary school and brought with her paintings of the stars and stripes from her class back in Green Bay Wisconsin. Mam made me write a thank-you to Mary-Beth and we have been pen (friends) ever since, but we only met for the first time in 2010!
Your proudest achievement? My daughter who, as a paediatric nurse, does something amazing every day
Your biggest fear? Large spiders
Describe yourself in three words: From Denton Holme
Brian Wernham, Liberal Democrats:
Family status: Living with my partner in Carlisle. She works in mental health
Education: I did a Mechanical Engineering Degree apprenticeship building Harrier Jump jets at BAE. Then a Master’s Degree in Business. I am a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Project Professional.
Last job: Project Management on large scale engineering change at Sellafield
What prompted you to get into politics? I wanted Boris Johnson out. 56 days after I was elected as a Cumberland Councillor he resigned, so that worked!
What previous political experience did you have? Not much – in my career I have been a practical engineer specialising in large projects
Have you ever been a member of another party? Once I joined the Conservatives, but with the intent to vote against Boris Johnson being the leader. That failed, so I joined the Lib Dems and never looked back.
Have you stood as MP before? No
Who is your political hero? William Beveridge. A Liberal politician who wrote the ‘Beveridge Report’ in 1942 which proposed the NHS. The post-war Labour government adopted the idea and took the credit, but it was Willy who was the one who made it happen.
What is your hobby? I am learning rock keyboard/piano. It is very relaxing and takes my mind off leaflet design and all that political stuff.
What’s your ideal night out? My last piano grade exam included Steely Dan’s classic rock ‘Reeling in the Years’ – and I saw a tribute band (‘Nearly Dan’) play it live at the ‘Old Fire Station’ here in Carlisle which is a super venue. That was an ideal night out!
What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? I played in a ukulele band on Britain’s Got Talent. Piers Morgan said that we sounded ‘Like a pub band’. Our band leader said ‘I wish we were that good – we mainly do nursing homes’. (Our part-time member at those events was the TV comedian Harry Hill!)
Your proudest achievement? Not fainting in front of the 3,000 audience on Britain’s Got Talent at the Hammersmith Apollo
Your biggest fear? Fun fair rides
Describe yourself in three words: Adventurous, innovative and enthusiastic
Gavin Hawkton, Green Party:
Family status: Married.
Education: BA, MA, final year PhD.
Last job: Tutor in Higher Education.
What prompted you to get into politics? The crippling austerity measures imposed by the Conservative / Lib Dem coalition and the recent failures of the Labour Party to offer any real change led to my total disillusionment with mainstream political parties. I got into politics to challenge the status quo and provide a genuine alternative.
What previous political experience did you have? I stood as a candidate at the last council election for the Green Party.
Have you ever been a member of another party? Labour Party (until Kier Starmer took over and turned the party into a Thatcherite fan club).
Have you stood as MP before? Never before, it’s quite an experience to put myself out there like this. But if I don’t stand up and demand real change, who will?
Who is your political hero? Tony Benn, for his unwavering commitment to democratic empowerment, peace, and social justice. He was a wonderful speaker too.
What is your hobby? Climbing Wainwrights with my border terrier. In my job I’m often looking at a screen so it’s always good to unplug and get out onto the fells when I can.
What’s your ideal night out? Camping out, watching the sunset, and toasting marshmallows on an open fire. Cumbria is a beautiful part of the world.
What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? I once worked as a steward for Carlisle Utd (among the many many jobs I’ve worked!).
Your proudest achievement? I’m very proud to say I’ve never worked for any dodgy PR firms, such as Bell Pottinger, and I’ve never been accused of concealing my CV while running for election.
Your biggest fear? The dismantling and privatisation of our NHS which so many of us rely upon. I do worry about the future of our NHS under either a Labour or Conservative government.
Describe yourself in three words: Determined, open, and honest.
Rachel Hayton, Social Democratic Party:
Family status: I am married to Paul, our silver wedding anniversary this year. We have two children, now grown up and I have two stepchildren from Paul's previous marriage. We have 3 grandchildren.
Education: I trained as a teacher at Edge Hill College (now university) and did my doctorate in Educational Psychology at Newcastle University.
Last Job: I currently work as an educational psychologist and am also an associate tutor on the Doctorate in Applied Educational Psychology programme at Newcastle University.
What prompted you to get into politics? I became disillusioned with politics and politicians after the referendum on membership of the EU. I voted to leave, and still would. I objected to the way those who voted to leave were characterised and found that none of the political parties really represented my point of view. I did not think that my views were particularly unusual and actually were very similar to the majority of people in UK.
What previous politics experience did you have? I have no history in politics but was previously a member of the Liberal Democrats, given their view on Brexit, I obviously had no place in that party.
Who is your political hero? I really admired Frank Field as a politician and think he was probably a social democrat. Field championed the 'hand up' not a 'hand out' philosophy, saw the importance of family for raising healthy children and was happy to support Brexit against the majority of his party.
What is your hobby and what is your ideal night out? In my free time I enjoy music; I lead a community choir, The Talkin Singers who have been going for 32 years (only 10 years with me in charge though). I like watching live music and going to gigs. The last gig I went to was at The Old Fire Station- when I went to see Mary Coughlan. I also enjoy theatre and dance. I love watching cricket and really love an international ODI at Durham- that would be a real treat.
What's one thing you have done that may surprise readers? It may surprise people to know that I was previously the keyboard player in a reggae band called The Dreggs – band name Betty Dregg.
What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is that our lives are governed by supranational bodies and non governmental organisations that we, the people, have no say in and cannot vote out.
Describe yourself in three words? I would describe myself as hopeful, creative and resilient
Stephen Ward, Reform UK
Family status: Single.
Education: MSc in Network Security, Six Sigma Green Belt, NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety, Oracle 9i OCA, Microsoft MCP SQL Server, Cisco Routing and Switching, Amazon Web Services.
Last Job: Business Owner
What prompted you to get into politics? In 1993, I read the Maastricht Treat and the Treaty of Rome. Alarmed by their vision, which reminded me of other European dictatorships, I decided to stand up and be counted. I stood for the Referendum Party in Romford in the 1997 election, and again in the 2001 election. My passion for ensure that the UK's sovereignty was preserved was the driving force behind my early political involvement.
What previous political experience do you have? Referendum Party - PPC Candidate; UKIP - PPC Candidate, Elected Councillor, Deputy Mayor; Brexit Party - PPC Candidate; Reform UK - PPC Candidate.
Have you ever been a member of another party? As listed above.
Have you stood as MP before? Yes, in the roles mentioned above.
Who is your political hero? I don't have one.
What is your hobby? Reading books.
What's your ideal night out? I'd rather be at home reading a book.
What's one thing you have done that may surprise readers? I won the Peel Award for Meritorious Crime Reduction as a police officer.
Your proudest achievement? Waking up every day and getting on with life.
What is your biggest fear? That the so-called conspiracy theories are continuously proven to be correct.
Describe yourself in three words: That would be impossible, so I shall pass.
Sean Reed, Independent
Family status: Married to my best friend Emma and have two children Elliott (21) and Daniel (19) both of whom went to school in Cumwhinton and Penrith.
Education: I have a Masters in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, a Diploma in Surveying from the University College of Estate Management Reading and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Science from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. I attended Stamford School in Lincolnshire.
Last job: I haven’t left it yet; Chartered Surveyor and Drone Pilot, previously Head of Property and Asset Management for Cumbria County Council. I am also a local volunteer as a Councillor for St Cuthbert Without Parish Council, a Governor at Pennine Way Primary School, a Director of Carlisle Sports, which oversees Harraby 3G Community Sports Centre and a Referee/Referee Mentor for Cumberland FA, and in my spare time…
What prompted you to get into politics? There is only so much shouting at the telly your wife can bear; so it was time to stand up and be counted.
What previous political experience did you have? I have worked in Local Government on and off since 1992 and am a Parish Councillor for the Parklands Ward.
Have you ever been a member of another party? I had a momentary affiliation to Labour but quickly realised that being a member of a party was not for me and being an Independent is the best way to truly represent Carlisle.
Have you stood as MP before? No, this is my first time.
Who is your political hero? Aneurin “Nye” Bevan.
What is your hobby? I grow deciduous trees from seed primarily sourced from the local area; a slow but rewarding venture.
What’s your ideal night out? Anywhere with good friends and great crack.
What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? Aside from standing in this General Election…I married the Bride of Cumbria 1999.
Your proudest achievement? My boys.
Your biggest fear? The worrying rise of autocratic states and the invasion of Ukraine (Europe) by Russia.
Describe yourself in three words: Impartiality, objectivity and integrity.
Thomas Lynestrider, Independent
Family status: Single.
Education: BA Philosophy and Politics, Lancaster University (2.1).
Last job: Another dairy.
What prompted you to get into politics? Shame, anger and love.
What previous political experience did you have? Not a jot.
Have you ever been a member of another party? Never a member.
Have you stood as MP before? Never.
Who is your political hero? James Corbett (journalist).
What is your hobby? Swimming.
What’s your ideal night out? A good conversation.
What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? Went to work as a cowboy in America for a year.
Your proudest achievement? Paying off my student loan.
Your biggest fear? Subversion.
Describe yourself in three words: Can't be bought.
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