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Burnham backs Allen for Cumbria mayor election

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 17:36 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has endorsed Labour candidate David Allen, the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, ahead of Cumbria's mayoral election next year.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has endorsed Labour candidate David Allen for the Mayor of Cumbria election next year. Burnham made his backing clear in an op-ed written exclusively for the News & Star, saying he was 'thrilled to hear' that Allen would be Labour's candidate.

Burnham highlighted Allen's work as Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, particularly an initiative that has provided young mechanics students at Carlisle College with access to vehicles that police have seized from criminals. Burnham said this hands-on experience 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'.

The Prime Minister described this as 'a proper bottom-up, local approach' where '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'. He argued that local people understand their communities better than administrators in Westminster.

Burnham suggested Allen's potential was much greater with the powers of a metro mayor. '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,' Burnham said. He added: 'Together, I know we can finally make sure that every postcode in Cumbria has a proper chance to get on'.

Allen responded positively to the Prime Minister's endorsement, saying he was 'delighted Andy is with me in this campaign'.

Burnham backs Allen for Cumbria mayor election
Image: Cumberland News

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In this story: Andy Burnham · David Allen · Cumbria · Carlisle College · Labour

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