Brexit, new nuclear build and rail strikes, what will 2019 bring for Cumbria?

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle

If 2018 has taught us anything, it’s that predicting what is going to happen in politics is a fool’s game. The fact is that in 2019 anything could happen.

Some things are more likely than others, but I don’t think we can rule out the possibility of a general election, a second referendum, a no-deal departure from the EU or even a successful agreement. Different people will be hoping for different things.

So I’m not going to speculate. Politics is important, but what goes on in people’s daily lives is in many respects far more so. It is easy to be negative and cynical at the moment – but occasionally we should take a step back and assess how fortunate we are.

We live in an open and democratic country, the fifth largest economy in the world and one of the wealthiest. Employment is at a long-term high, our standard of living is rising, we are generally healthier and we live in an ever improving environment.

And here in Carlisle and Cumbria we are even more fortunate to live in a part of a country which is generally very safe, beautiful, and more relaxed.

We have investment coming into the city, with a new airport, a potential garden village, the Borderlands Deal, and further business investment from Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Pioneer, and in Kingmoor Park.

So my hopes for 2019? Well, that Carlisle’s successes continue, and we can go on to improve and grow our city.

I also hope that we reflect on what is good about where we live whilst at the same time remembering there are many people both abroad and in our own country who are less fortunate than us.

And my predictions for 2019? That it will be another unpredictable year. What I do know is that I want to wish you a positive and successful New Year.

Sue Hayman, MP for Workington

This time last year, I wrote about my hopes that fewer people would have to rely on food banks, and that the government would sort out the terrible problems caused by Universal Credit.

Unfortunately things have got worse, not better, and every week I am helping more and more local people who are struggling with benefit sanctions, late payments, rent arrears and just trying to put food on the table.

In 2019, I will continue to fight for those people to get a fair deal and, just as importantly, fair treatment from the government agencies which can plunge people into misery without warning.

It cannot be right that vulnerable people are treated in this way, and we desperately need a Labour government, or at least a change in government policy, to help them.

A huge blow to West Cumbria in 2018 was the Conservative government’s refusal to support the Moorside nuclear power project, which resulted in the developer NuGen being closed down and the project being shelved – dashing hopes of thousands of future jobs and billions of pounds of investment in our community.

A Labour government will take a public stake in Moorside, both to ensure it goes ahead and to make sure we have a seat at the table.

As co-chair of the Parliamentary group on nuclear, as well as Workington MP, I will continue to fight for our nuclear industry and for the future jobs and investment we need.

We need to explore opportunities for small modular reactors, fast-breeder technology and other developments that reinforce Cumbria as a centre of nuclear excellence.

I will also keep pressing for more investment in our road and rail infrastructure, our flood defences and in our local hospital and health services, which have been cut further under this government.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border

The last thing I wanted to do was talk about Brexit – but unfortunately as a Member of Parliament, I simply don’t feel I can avoid the subject.

We need to begin to think about healing the nation, in the same way as we would heal any damaged relationship. First, we should focus on small steps and practical details – which is why the government and parliament needs to get away from these black and white debates and begin focusing on the details of a 500 page document. Second, we need a safe space to think our issues through – in particular we need a measured, safe transition in which to analyse the challenges of trade, immigration and foreign policy - and even more difficult questions of our national identity and place in the world.

We need to have a clear, optimistic picture for the future. In practical terms that might mean deciding to cooperate with Norway, Switzerland or other states that want to be part of market arrangements but not part of the inner political circle of Germany and France – or we could decide to reach out to emerging markets instead. But – fourth - the optimism has to be realistic. It has to accept the weaknesses as well as the strengths of our economy, and our government (rather than pretending that we are somehow going to find politicians, businesses, and civil servant that we have never had). And we must chart a future that is authentic - that draws on our own traditions, history, institutions and values – not someone else’s – not America’s and not Scandinavia’s.

In short, we need to get away from the rhetoric, focus on the reality, and approach the new year with optimism and humility – and with any luck begin to restore some of the civility and commonsense in our political debate.

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland

As 2018 draws to an end, writing this column reminded me of two years ago when I decided to apply to the Conservative Party’s central office, hoping to stand for Copeland in the by-election.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me, especially my husband, daughters, parents and my office team.

My highlights include welcoming the first Sunday train service between Whitehaven and Barrow, a huge boost to people living, working, learning and visiting the west coast. However, the RMT strike action caused our Saturday service to be severely limited.

Having the assurance from the Transport Secretary that guards will remain on our line should mean restoration to the service, I look forward to meeting with our local RMT representative on January 2 to see how this impasse can be resolved.

I will work alongside my fellow Cumbrian MPs whenever helpful for the benefit of our county, one voice for Cumbria is a practical way of collaborating and will make sense, as we work hard to develop Moorside and other nuclear priorities.

Our next Moorside meeting will discuss the difficulties nuclear new build developers are facing, we will gather the necessary evidence to encourage change in the current market led system.

The launch of the Nuclear Sector Deal has provided much more clarity about Government’s ambitions for the industry, and there is no denying that we in Copeland are perfectly positioned to benefit.

The need for low carbon electricity in the future is un-disputable and we have the capability in Cumbria. I have called upon the Prime Minister to meet with me in the New Year to discuss how we connect our local capability with the much needed capacity.

Finally, I would like to wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy New Year.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale

As we enter another year with the Government completely incapable of focusing on the day-to-day challenges that the country faces and Parliament seemingly at gridlock, it’s up to local communities to fight for their best interests.

Here in the South Lakes, it was our community campaigns this year that secured seven days a week mental health service for our young people, put a free train service on the Lakes Line for two weeks after Northern gave up trying to run a service during the busiest time of year for the Lake District, and got health bosses to launch a formal study into bringing a life-saving radiotherapy unit to Kendal.

And in 2019 it looks like there’ll be plenty more campaigns for us to fight as a community.

Despite our successes this year, The situation for mental health services for our young people is bleak. With the announcement that the public health budget for Cumbria will be cut yet again, even more strains are going to be put on schools and our local teachers to help treat kids with mental health issues.

We will also need to fight for a much better and fairer deal for our hard-working small businesses. With local firms struggling to pay business rates, empty shops on the high street are no longer a rare sight and while mega online retailers can get away with paying next to no tax at all, it’s vital we secure a level playing field.

And three years on from Storm Desmond, it’s imperative that we fight for flood defences to be built without any further delay for the peace of minds for the thousands of residents that lost their homes back in 2015.

These are all big challenges for communities to fight, but with our politics failing at our national level, people power is more important than ever.