AS Reform UK overtakes the Conservative Party in the national opinion polls, Carlisle's candidate says people are expecting "change and honesty in politics."

YouGov's latest poll looking at voting intention on behalf of The Times has put Reform UK on 19 per cent while the Conservatives sit at 18 per cent. 

Stephen Ward, Reform UK's Carlisle candidate, said: "I think Admiral Nelson said 'England expects', and I think England does expect: it expects change and honesty in politics.

"It's quite simple, really, because people are no longer fooled by the rhetoric of Rishi Sunak or Starmer. 

"People have woken up to both Labour and the Conservatives being either side of the same coin."

Nigel Farage, former leader of UKIP, took over as leader of Reform UK in a surprise move last week. 

Has this had an impact on potential voters?

Mr Ward believes that Reform would have been just as 'disruptive' without Mr Farage but he 'brings something else to the table'.

"He has brought with him his flair for publicity, for speaking about the issues that other people are too scared to speak of," said Stephen.

"But I think Nigel has brought with him a lot of people that are totally and utterly dedicated to him that wouldn't have come over."

The following candidates are standing for election in Carlisle: John Stevenson (Conservatives), Julie Minns (Labour), Brian Wernham (Liberal Democrats), Gavin Hawkton (Green Party), Rachel Hayton (Social Democrat Party), Stephen Ward (Reform UK), Sean Reed (Independent), Thomas Lynestrider (Independent). 

John Stevenson was approached for comment.