The General Election 2024 is finally here and The Herdwick News has all you need to know about the Carlisle constituency candidates.

Conservative Party

John Stevenson

Conservative MP John Stevenson has been reselected to stand for the seat he won in 2010 when he defeated long standing Labour MP Eric Martlew. He pledges to prioritise more and better jobs, infrastructure development, enhanced education and skills training, business investment, civic pride, rural community support, a sustainable future, and improved health services.

The Conservative Party aims to implement a £17 billion package of tax cuts by reducing National Insurance rates and abolishing stamp duty for first-time home buyers on properties up to £425,000. They also aim to boost home ownership with the Help to Buy scheme and promise capital gains tax relief for landlords. Additionally, they plan to halve net immigration and implement controversial measures like sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Read the manifesto here

Labour Party

Julie Minns

Julie Minns, Labour Party candidate for Carlisle, pledges to be a local, experienced, and confident voice for the city. In a statement she explained her family’s roots in Carlisle span generations, with a legacy of hard work and community service. Julie has firsthand experience in managing an MP’s office and advocating for constituents’ needs.

She has campaigned for disabled rights and child protection laws, and as a senior industry manager, she has shaped policies to safeguard consumers. Julie is dedicated to revitalizing Carlisle’s Victorian Baths and believes in the city’s potential under a Labour government. She promises to prioritise improving healthcare, tackling waiting lists, and ensuring access to NHS services.

Read the manifesto here

Liberal Democrats

Brian Kevin Wernham

Brian Wernham, the Liberal Democrats candidate for Carlisle, has stated he will prioritise “practical, local-focused” leadership. He advocates for better healthcare, local job creation, affordable transport, housing solutions, and environmental protection in Carlisle.

Nationally, he supports responsible climate policies, proportional representation, and economic benefits from access to the common market. Brian also emphasised strong foreign policy, including support for NATO and standing with Ukraine against Putin, alongside promoting peace in the Middle East. He aims to restore the Animal Welfare bill and reform asylum processes, highlighting his commitment to progressive values and effective representation for Carlisle.

Read the manifesto here

Reform UK

Stephen Patrick Ward

Stephen Ward, Reform UK’s candidate for Carlisle, champions UK sovereignty and political reform with a background in law enforcement and public service, including Deputy Mayor. His pledges focus on local issues like affordable housing, healthcare access, road maintenance, and energy security through the nuclear industry.

Stephen aims to address Carlisle’s infrastructure challenges with policies on controlled immigration, economic growth through job creation and local business support, and strategic infrastructure investment, striving for a prosperous future through practical solutions and political change.

Read the manifesto here

Green Party

Gavin Hawkton

Gavin Hawkton, Green Party candidate for Carlisle, said he brings a “strong commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability as a higher education tutor and local resident”.

He pledges to advocate for reversing NHS privatisation, cleaning up polluted rivers, and securing a fairer future for all in Carlisle through genuine political change. Gavin pledges to deliver a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable future for the region and its borders.

Read the manifesto here

Social Democratic Party

Rachel Hayton

Rachel Hayton, representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Carlisle, claims she stands for the common good and national interest, free from vested interests.

The SDP pledges to prioritise the welfare of all British people and residents, advocating for societal growth and prosperity without bias towards capital, labour, private industry, or the public sector. They pledge to uphold the nation-state as crucial for democracy and societal solidarity, alongside the family, fostering care and unity among citizens.

Read the manifesto here

Independent

Thomas Alexander Ben Lynestrider

Thomas Lynestrider is an independent candidate standing for the Carlisle seat in the General Election, In a statement to voters he said: “My name is Thomas Lynestrider and I’ve been a dairyman for over seven years now since coming back from ranching in the Badlands.

“The government is far too interested in sending us the bill for whatever scheme they dream up (sometimes it rests on an emergency they cooked up). I hold a Philosophy and Politics BA from Lancaster (2.1) and told myself I’d never vote for a party again as (in my opinion) they seem to lack true grit.”

Independent

Sean Clifford Reed

Sean Reed, an Independent candidate for Carlisle, has previously pledged to “bring a local perspective” to the role as MP, when he previously ran for Cumberland Council.

Reed claims to have experience in both Unitary and County councils, and now running a Chartered Surveying business, he pledges to advocate for local issues and community interests.

How to vote on in the UK General Election 2024:

To be able to vote in the General Election 2024, on Thursday, July 4, you must be registered, bring your voter ID and got to the correct voting station.

To check if this is the constituency that you are to vote in visit the Electoral Commission’s website here.

This is the first General Election that needs a form of ID to vote to check the acceptable forms of ID visit the government website here.