Carlisle will be won by Labour at the next general election, insists the party's new chairwoman in the city.

Former Carlisle city councillor Elsie Martlew this week described her appointment to the role as a "privilege", saying it would allow her to focus on working for what she believes will be a more equal society.

“I joined the Labour Party when I was 19, and I've been involved in every general election ever since,” said Mrs Martlew, 66, whose husband Eric was the city's Labour MP until the seat was won by Carlisle's current MP, Conservative John Stevenson.

“There's a lot of debate in the Labour Party and it's healthy.

“We're going in the right direction: we're working towards getting rid of this government, which has no mandate. It's being propped up by a sleazy deal with the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party). People are absolutely sickened by it.

“I saw that during the last general election campaign. There's austerity in this country, but it's for the many, not the few.

“Theresa May told a nurse recently that there was no magic money tree; but she has found £1 billion to spend on propping up her government with the DUP.”

Mrs Martlew said her role will be to ensure that Labour Party policy is implemented locally as far as possible, and to ensure that Carlisle is as ready as it can be for the next general election. Some pundits predict that could be as soon as the autumn.

She added: “We want a Labour MP in Carlisle.

“We want a Labour government. This was a Labour seat until 2010, and the next time we will win. The Tories won't know what's hit them.”

After taking the Carlisle seat earlier this year, Mr Stevenson said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to represent Carlisle. It’s a wonderful city.

"I’ve enjoyed the last seven years as MP and am committed to doing my best for the city.”

He secured his victory with 21,472 votes, while the Labour candidate Ruth Alcroft won 18,873.