PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has backed Labour's candidate in the Mayor of Cumbria election, David Allen.
In an op-ed, written exclusively for the News & Star, Mr Burnham said that he was "thrilled to hear" that Mr Allen will be Labour's candidate in the election next year.
He wrote in his opinion piece about Mr Allen's work as Police Fire and Crime Commissioner which has seen young mechanics students at Carlisle College receive vehicles police have seized from criminals.
Mr Burnham said that the hands-on experience with a greater variety of vehicles gives young people "a better chance to discover what they’re capable of, and more of the confidence they need to go out and make something of it.
"It’s a proper bottom-up, local approach," the Prime Minister said, "local leaders like Dave taking whatever power they have, thinking about what their area needs, then bringing people together from across society to make it happen.
"And the reason it works is because local people know their communities intimately – and, crucially, far better than someone behind a desk in Whitehall ever could."
Mr Burnham said: "If he can make a difference to a hundred kids’ lives with a few cars in Carlisle, there’s no limit to what he can achieve with the powers and resources he would have at his disposal as Cumbria’s first metro mayor.
"Together, I know we can finally make sure that every postcode in Cumbria has a proper chance to get on."
Mr Allen said: "I'm delighted Andy is with me in this campaign.
"He understands the importance of giving local people a greater say over the future of their communities.
Mr Allen said: "I've already seen what can be achieved when we put Cumbria first. We've invested massively in grassroots sports clubs and community organisations, giving young people more opportunities.
"Imagine what more we can do with a Labour Mayor working hand in hand with a Labour Government.
"As mayor, my priority will always be securing the investment Cumbria deserves and making sure decisions about our future are made here, not in Westminster."
YouGov polling data, relevant to November 2, reveals that 26 per cent of those polled would vote for Labour if a General Election was held tomorrow; 24 per cent would vote for the Conservatives, 21 per cent would vote for Reform UK, 11 per cent would vote for the Liberal Democrats and 10 per cent would vote for the Greens.
Of those polled, four per cent would vote for other parties or independents; three per cent would vote for the Scottish National Party (SNP) and two per cent would vote for Plaid Cymru.
- The election for the first Mayor of Cumbria is due to be held on Thursday, May 6, 2027. The elected mayor will lead the Cumbria Combined Authority, covering both Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness. At the time of writing four candidates have been confirmed: David Allen of the Labour and Co-operative Party; Libby Bateman of the Liberal Democrats; Mike Starkie of the Conservative Party; and Dr Mark Borthwick of the Green Party.
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