I believe in a society where communities and families can flourish. In market towns such as Keswick, this means reversing years in which there has been a lot of talk but little action from the Conservatives in facing the huge challenges of education, housing, farming and health and social care. There has been a breakdown in society that means everything has become an emergency.

The Liberal Democrats can change the conversation in Penrith & Solway. For example, United Utilities should become a public benefit corporation legally obliged to stop raw sewage discharges into Cumberland’s rivers and sea. I am also calling for a balance in provisions for local residents and tourists in Keswick with a bigger reduction in the price of affordable housing by based on local incomes as well as more investment in social housing.

Local services have declined unacceptably

At my event at Crosthwaite Parish Rooms in Keswick, I was asked about traffic congestion and parking in the Keswick area. It is obvious that the roads in Cumberland were not built for the number of people who use them, Borrowdale is a particular nightmare. I suggested that there should be more investment in buses, including more park-and-ride schemes, to provide an alternative to driving; we should be using the carrot so the stick is used as little as possible.

Local services are also declining unacceptably; My daughter was a member of Keswick Junior Tri Club and could winter train at Keswick Swimming Pool, but that is no longer an option.  I completely with local resident’s comments that Cumberland Council needs to reopen the Pool especially given the high income from parking fees.

Keswick’s local economy

When asked about the economy, I believe in a growth in wellbeing, not just GDP. Corporate trickle-down is not working therefore the Liberal Democrats would tax wealth rather than income and large companies based offshore must pay their fair share. Cumbria particularly needs improved skills training for young people, especially in agriculture, to grow green and food-based businesses. I am continually frustrated by the “lack of belief” in enabling farmers to do their job well and be part of a flourishing community.

We need farming to be viable. The government’s mishandling of Henry Dimbleby’s report on a national food strategy had exposed the emperor’s new clothes in Michael Gove’s comfortable acceptance that 40% of farmers would leave the industry. Just as the government is ‘othering’ migrants by claiming they are a burden, when health and social care would collapse without people from other countries, so they are now also ‘othering’ farmers who need a fair income for what they do.

The old system of farm payments had been phased out before we’ve got the new system.

With formerly northern businesses like Morrisons now owned by hedge funds, We need to ensure suppliers are properly treated as well as their shareholders.