With the General Election just days away, we spoke to seven of Carlisle's candidates to find out what their three key priorities are and the one policy that they will commit to. Here's what they had to say. 

John Stevenson, Conservative Party (Image: Newsquest)

John Stevenson, Conservative

My top three priorities for the election are:

Carlisle City Centre: I will ensure that both the local council and the Westminster government support our city centre so that Carlisle remains a vibrant and pleasant place to live and work. The £28m train station and £77m Citadel refurbishments will make a huge difference, but there is more to do to support retail and business in the centre.

More high-quality employment: Our city and surrounding area has seen more than £600 million invested in projects such as the southern ring-road, the university, the station refurbishment, and the new hospital cancer and endoscopy units amongst other schemes. We now need to ensure that this also translates into more private sector investment creating well-paid and high-quality jobs for Cumbrians.

Education and Skills: Making sure our young (and not so young!) people are well educated and expertly trained is key to opening up our city’s potential. Of course, this means supporting Cumbria University – but also Carlisle College, apprenticeships, and other vocational training opportunities. I will continue to hold my annual Carlisle Skills Fair and build upon the great relationships I have formed with our educational institutions and skills providers.

My one policy commitment is a personal policy commitment – I will never vote for any total tax increase to the British people. I will keep this pledge whichever party forms the next government. By promising to never vote for any increase to the overall tax burden, I will do what I can to ensure Labour keep their hands off your payslips, pensions, and hard-earned savings.

Julie Minns, Labour Party (Image: Julie Minns)

Julie Minns, Labour

My three priorities as your full-time MP for Carlisle would be: the NHS; supporting Labour’s energy plans and doing all I can to help rejuvenate our city centre.

I have spoken to thousands of people during this campaign and overwhelmingly they have told me that the NHS and the cost of living crisis are their top concerns so they should be my priorities too. Labour has plans to provide 40,000 extra NHS appointments a week and I would work to ensure Carlisle benefits from this boost to our beleaguered health service.

Labour’s plans for Great British Energy will not only pave the way for reductions in our fuel bills, but open up opportunities for quality jobs here in Cumbria. Great British Energy will take the first steps to deliver a cheaper, zero-carbon electricity system by 2030 and in doing so unleash investment in projects that will benefit our region. We have already seen Carlisle named as a finalist to host a small modular reactor (SMRs) factory.

I love Carlisle, but I know it could be so much better and nowhere is that more true than in our city centre. It is great that we have the University moving into the centre of Carlisle, but I want to bring people together to focus energy and creativity on finding ways to make the most of the market and all of the city centre.

My policy commitment for Carlisle would be to work with our Labour Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure guaranteed patrols in the city centre, towns and villages. That’s got to be a key way to tackle anti-social behaviour and rural crime

Brian Wernham, Liberal Democrats (Image: Supplied)

Brian Wernham, Liberal Democrat

Ending the sewage scandal: I have been campaigning on this for years.  I handed in the petition at 10 Downing Street. The video of me knocking on Rishi Sunak’s door can be seen on my home page www.brianwernham.org.uk.

The current state of our rivers is unacceptable, with frequent sewage discharges polluting the Eden and the Esk. The Liberal Democrats are committed to ending the sewage scandal by enforcing stricter regulations on water companies, ensuring they invest in infrastructure improvements to prevent sewage overflow.

Unblocking hospital beds to end A&E waiting on trolleys in corridors: Carlisle patients are waiting on trolleys in A&E corridors every week. Our plan includes increasing funding for social care to ensure that patients who are medically fit for discharge can be moved to appropriate care settings, freeing up hospital beds to ensure immediate admission. We will also invest more than Labour in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals.

Regular 45-minute train service to Newcastle: Improving our transport infrastructure is essential for economic growth and improved access to health care professionals. Carlisle is being held back because of this lack of east-west connectivity. I will advocate for a regular 45-minute train service between Carlisle and Newcastle.

Key policy commitment: Pay care workers £2 above minimum wage

Care workers play a crucial role in our society, yet they are underpaid and undervalued. This policy will help attract and retain dedicated care professionals, ensuring high-quality care for those who need it most and unblocking hospital beds.

Gavin Hawkton, Green Party (Image: Gavin Hawkton)

Gavin Hawkton, Green

Priority 1: Nurse our NHS back to health by reconnecting surgeries, dental practices, and the social care sector. The Green Party is committed to reversing privatisation, restoring junior doctors' pay, and establishing a new contract for NHS dentists to ensure everyone has access to care. To fund this, we propose a wealth tax impacting less than 2 per cent of taxpayers, redistributing wealth to support our health services.

Priority 2: The Green Party would invest in local businesses to foster a growing green economy. We will encourage the creation of regional mutual banks to drive investment in decarbonisation and local economic sustainability, supporting SMEs, community-owned enterprises, and cooperatives. This approach ensures that economic growth is both inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

Priority 3: Provide unprecedented support to farmers and community food-growing initiatives. To reduce carbon emissions in agriculture and restore nature on the necessary scale, we need significant investment. The Green Party would nearly triple support to farmers over the next five years to promote nature-friendly farming practices. While other parties talk about land use transition, we pledge the financial backing needed to make it a reality.

Policy Commitment: My core policy commitment is to bring public utilities back into public hands, including energy companies, rail, and water. We are the only party advocating for reversing failed water privatisation. Instead of massive payouts to shareholders and bloated CEO bonuses, this money would be used to repair infrastructure and prevent sewage and agricultural waste from polluting our rivers and seas.

Stephen Ward, Reform UK (Image: Stephen Ward)

Stephen Ward, Reform UK

As the Reform UK candidate for Carlisle, my top three priorities focus on creating a prosperous and secure future for our community:

I am committed to stimulating economic growth by supporting small businesses and attracting new investments. My plan includes:

  • Cutting unnecessary regulations to make it easier for businesses to thrive.

  • Ensuring fair tax policies that benefit both local entrepreneurs and residents.

  • Promoting initiatives that create job opportunities and drive sustainable economic development.

Addressing the pressing issues within our NHS is a top priority. Key initiatives include:

  • Reducing waiting times for treatments and appointments.

  • Improving mental health services to ensure comprehensive care.

  • Ensuring that healthcare workers are adequately supported and fairly compensated, fostering a robust and motivated healthcare workforce.

Collaborating closely with local law enforcement and community groups is crucial for enhancing public safety. My approach includes:

  • Working with the Chief Constable to identify and act on priority areas for local policing.

  • Increasing the number of visible police officers to deter crime and provide reassurance.

  • Partnering with community groups to address and reduce crime rates and anti-social behaviour.

Investing in education and skills training is essential for the long-term prosperity of our community. My plan includes:

  • Supporting local schools and educational institutions to ensure high-quality education for all students.

  • Expanding vocational training and apprenticeship programs to equip individuals with the skills needed for the modern workforce.

  • Partnering with local businesses to create internship opportunities that provide practical experience and enhance employability.

  • Promoting lifelong learning initiatives to help residents of all ages continue their personal and professional development.

Together, these priorities and commitments aim to build a better Carlisle, where businesses thrive, healthcare is accessible, and communities feel safe and valued.

Sean Reed, Independent (Image: Supplied)

Sean Reed, Independent

If the people of Carlisle were to honour me with their vote, I would act in their best interests and campaign for a better deal for the NHS, Schools, Business, Employment, Housing, Environment and Transport in the Carlisle area.

I would hold those in power to account on your behalf. I would ask the difficult questions and get answers. I would listen to your concerns and take action on them and I would keep you informed.

Together we could help make the Carlisle area an even better place to live, work and prosper.

Thomas Lynestrider, Independent (Image: Supplied)

Thomas Lynestrider, Independent

In terms of priorities primarily I want to see what can be done to stop "borderlands deal" style funding. Firstly, it has been and will always be the border and secondly it isn't much of a deal when you consider we're being squeezed to pay. Over two million to shut down a perfectly useful thoroughfare with many more millions on a railway station (already functioning) along with a gift of fifty million to a university which at its root is still propped up by government funds in the form of student loans.

Secondly, we should take advantage of elections to set petitions before the constituents themselves with results being shown by constituency. So long as we’re already running in ballots we might as well get our money’s worth and get the people a say. Traditionally the government doesn’t like getting yes or no answers from their boss.

My third priority is to try and extricate the people of Cumberland from transnational organisations and agreements. Be it a Pandemic Agreement from the W.H.O. or a Global Compact for Migration from the UN any such agreement undermines the ability of MPs to selfishly represent their own constituents.

I’ll make my policy commitment the only one in which I won’t be fighting upwards of 600 MPs. I won’t take over £40,000 for a salary. Better people than I work harder for less. I can’t say much in 250 words but I also state my positions on platforms Rumble and Odysee.

Rachel Hayton, Social Democratic Party, was contacted but did not respond by the time the article was printed.