Labour mayor candidate vows to push new nuclear with Burnham

Speaking today, David Allen welcomed the appointment of Mr Burnham, as his party's leader and Prime Minister.

Mr Allen, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner and a candidate in the Mayor of Cumbria election race, said that he was "delighted" to see Mr Burnham in 10 Downing Street.

He said: "He has already demonstrated what a Mayor that puts place first can deliver and that’s exactly the kind of mayor I’ll be if I’m elected."

Andy Burnham MP, the new Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. (Image: Central Government)

Mr Burnham was the Mayor of Greater Manchester for about nine years, wielding the same powers as a future Mayor of Cumbria.

Mr Allen said: "Andy has already signalled strong support for nuclear, so I’ll be working with him to help deliver new nuclear at Pioneer Park alongside Josh MacAlister MP."

Mr Allen pointed out that the new Prime Minister took buses back into public control when he was mayor in Manchester.

Should he win the Mayor of Cumbria election, Mr Allen said that this is something he wants to do "here in Cumbria, to help make fares more affordable for people and actually be accessible in more of our rural communities."

Mr Allen said: "He’s already taken action today to bring down people’s energy bills to make life more affordable for people and that’s something I hugely welcome!

Cumbria's mayoral election takes place in 2027 and will see the successful candidate head-up the newly established Cumbria Combined Authority.

Combined Authorities deliver big-picture decision-making and economic development, which gives councils the space and time to focus on their daily responsibilities such as determining planning applications and bin collections.

Forming a Combined Authority affords communities greater powers of self-determination, drawing down power from Westminster.

The mayoral election will be contested by PFCC David Allen, for Labour; former Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat candidate Libby Bateman, a close ally of Tim Farron MP.

Whoever is successful at the ballot box in May 2027 will be responsible for implementing an integrated transport service for the area; driving economic development and a jobs boost.

Mayoral candidates will also have the power to implement a tourism levy.