06/11/2026
Cumbria delivers for Britain. It’s time Britain delivered for Cumbria.
For generations, Cumbria has made an extraordinary contribution to the prosperity of our country.
At Sellafield, we manage much of Britain’s nuclear legacy, undertaking work of enormous national importance.
In Barrow, generations of highly skilled Cumbrians have built the submarines that underpin Britain’s nuclear deterrent and safeguard our national security.
From the Astute and Dreadnought programmes to the next generation of international defence partnerships, Barrow is at the very heart of keeping our nation safe.
But Cumbria’s extraordinary contribution extends far beyond our industrial strength.
Our natural resources do not just define our landscape; they power, feed, and sustain the wider UK economy.
For generations, our county has been a quiet guarantor of national resilience, providing the vital raw materials and ecosystem services that major British cities and industries rely on daily.
The water flowing from taps in Manchester comes from the reservoirs of the Lake District.
Every day, hundreds of millions of litres of clean water flow from Thirlmere and Haweswater directly to homes, businesses, and manufacturing hubs across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, underpinning the economic health of the entire Northwest.
Beyond water, our offshore winds generate massive amounts of clean electricity for the national grid, while our coastal waters and geology hold immense potential for pioneering tidal energy, carbon capture, and new low-carbon technologies.
We are not just managing Britain's energy past; our natural assets are key to its sustainable future.
Furthermore, our agricultural land and dedicated farming communities are the backbone of British food security.
From upland livestock farming in the fells to rich dairy and arable farming in our valleys, Cumbrian agriculture supplies premium-quality produce to supply chains and dinner tables across the length and breadth of the UK.
And as a national engine for health and well-being, our stunning landscapes and coastlines attract millions of visitors every year, generating billions in economic activity that feeds directly into the UK’s wider tourism sector.
This is an immense contribution to our country, supporting tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs and an extensive supply chain extending across Britain.
And it brings responsibilities.
The continued success of these nationally vital industries depends on comprehensive investment in housing, transport, infrastructure, digital connectivity, skills, and public services across the whole county.
Ensuring all our Cumbrian communities have the infrastructure and opportunities to thrive must be part of the country’s long-term investment plans.
Our businesses, workforce, and natural resources contribute to this country that extends far beyond our county boundaries.
We should be proud of that.
But here’s my question.
If Cumbria is so important to the success of the rest of the country, why shouldn’t Cumbria enjoy the same opportunities for prosperity?
Greater Manchester has benefited from years of devolution, attracting billions in investment and securing greater control over its economic future.
Meanwhile, Cumbria has been left playing catch-up because local Labour and Lib Dem politicians have put party interests before the county’s interests, allowing political divisions and petty rivalries to stand in the way of the investment, opportunities, and economic growth our county deserves.
That must change.
I don’t begrudge Manchester its success. I want Cumbria to enjoy the same opportunities. And I believe we have an exceptionally strong case to take to government.
We are not asking for favours.
We are asking for a fair deal that recognises the enormous contribution Cumbria already makes to the national economy.
As Mayor, I will use that contribution to make the case for greater investment in our roads, railways, infrastructure, skills, and communities.
I will fight to ensure that national investment in our energy and defence sectors creates more opportunities for local Cumbrian businesses, and that the enormous value of our natural resources is reflected in the funding our county receives.
Above all, I want to remove the barriers that hold back our businesses, attract new industries, and create the conditions for enterprise to flourish from the Borders to the Bay.
Because the answer to Cumbria’s challenges isn’t another tax.
It’s not a holiday tax on a visitor economy that already supports almost one in three Cumbrian jobs. It’s not a mayoral council tax precept on hard-pressed households.
And it is certainly not penalising the hard-working farmers who manage our land and feed our nation with bureaucratic burdens or unfair financial penalties.
It’s bringing investment into Cumbria, not imposing new taxes on Cumbrians.
I’ve spent much of my working life demonstrating what can be achieved when we back enterprise, manage public money responsibly, and work with businesses to unlock investment.
That’s the approach I will bring to the mayoralty.
Cumbria has the people, the skills, the industries, and the resources to become one of Britain’s great economic success stories.
What we’ve lacked for too long is the political ambition to make it happen.
Cumbria has delivered for Britain for generations. It’s time Britain delivered for Cumbria.
Cumbria’s Time Has Come.
