POLITICIANS across north Cumbria have been reacting to news that a General Election will take place this summer, following the announcement from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday.

Mr Sunak, who has been Prime Minister since October 2022, has called the election after months of speculation about its date.

Announcing the election, the Prime Minister said: "The king has granted the dissolution of parliament, and the election will be on July 4."

In north Cumbria there will be two seats in contention, following boundary changes brought into force across the country last year: Penrith and the Solway, and Carlisle.

Labour candidate for Carlisle, Julie Minns, took to social media following a door knocking session in Carlisle, saying she felt the city is ready for a change.

She said: "Today is a really important day. A general election has finally been called. Talking to people on the very wet doorstep tonight it is clear this is well overdue. Comments like 'finally', 'it's about time' and an overwhelming feeling that it's time we turned the page, that we had a change of government and that Carlisle needs a change too."

John Stevenson, current Carlisle MP and Conservative candidate for the election, has said that his time as MP has been the 'honour of his life' - one which he hopes to continue following July 4.

Mr Stevenson said: "Over the last fourteen years we have achieved so much, drawing in massive investment to our city and securing big upgrades to our infrastructure and the services that we all use.

"Alongside this, I have always been a diligent and active constituency MP, both locally and in Parliament. I have supported thousands and thousands of local people with a whole host of challenges, difficulties and concerns.

"I will not take this general election for granted and will work tirelessly to secure every vote.

"I have enjoyed meeting, and talking to many of you on the doorstep, over the years and look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming weeks."

Liberal Democrat candidate for Carlisle Brian Wernham has also welcomed the election. He said: "After months of dithering, the Prime Minister has finally decided that enough is enough.  He was hoping for some good news on the horizon on any of his pledges, but none have been realised.  

"The Liberal Democrats are the only major party who are calling for proportional representation, an end to child poverty because of benefits caps, an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza with arms exports Israel banned, a green technology initiative and immediate negotiations to get access to the Common Market to restart our economy and reduce prices. 

"Neither of the other major political parties will do these things - only the Liberal Democrats."

Green Party candidate for Carlisle Gavin Hawkton said he is 'looking forward' to giving voters what he believes is a 'genuine alternative' at the election.

He said: "Whether it’s the broken pledges by Keir Starmer or a Conservative Party embroiled in scandal after scandal, I think people feel let down by the main political parties and want a fresh approach.

"The Greens offer a different vision for what our country can be: an end to privatisation, protecting our NHS, and a commitment to a sustainable and fair future for all, not just a small elite."

The towns of Maryport, Cockermouth, Keswick, Silloth and many of the villages will join Penrith and the surrounding areas in the new Penrith and Solway constituency, with the three main parties having selected their candidates for the next election.

Current Tory Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has said voters now have a choice to make and said that Rishi Sunak is 'a Prime Minister who has delivered for Cumbria'.

He will be fighting for the new Penrith and Solway constituency seat at the next election.

"The election in December 2019 bestowed on me one of the greatest honours there is - representing my peers in Parliament," he said.

"There is something bittersweet about this election, as the reconfigured Penrith and Solway seat loses the town of Workington and gains the towns and villages east of Cockermouth.

"I am looking forward to championing the needs of its constituents, just as I have for the current Workington constituency.

"The people of Cumbria know I have their back – and that I am someone who delivers on his promises.

"I’ve always been proud to be an accessible and visible MP, and that’s one of the most regular things I hear from voters. I look forward to speaking to as many people as possible over the next six weeks."

Labour candidate for the Penrith and Solway constituency and current Keswick councillor for Cumberland Markus Campbell-Savours has welcomed the election saying 'people want change'.

Mr Campbell-Savours said: "The General Election has just been called and it's time for change. This is our chance to build a better Britain and a better Penrith and Solway.

"People here want change, after 14 years of the Conservatives. Families are worse off, less safe and have fewer opportunities and we know that things can be better."

He said that if elected to be MP he will 'fight to get the NHS back on it's feet, deal with the recruitment crisis in Cumbria's health service and tackle the NHS dental deserts'.

The Liberal Democrats will also have a candidate for the new Penrith and Solway seat in the form of agricultural spokeswoman Julia Aglionby who is 'delighted' that the election has been called, describing Cumbria as a 'distinct place with distinct needs'.

She said: "I am delighted an election has been called - Britain needs change and I am ready to represent Penrith & Solway - to be a strong voice for Cumbria’s communities from Alston to Silloth, from Buttermere to Burgh by Sands.

"Cumbria is a distinct place with distinct needs - the Liberal Democrats have the values and the track record in rural Cumbria to hold national government to account to ensure Penrith & Solway thrives."