Three Cumbria mayoral candidates debate at hustings; Reform UK absent

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 06:09 · Archive

Three mayoral candidates debated farming, transport and housing at a Cumbria hustings on 30 October, but Reform UK did not attend.

Three candidates for Cumbria's first elected mayor attended a hustings organised by H+H at Borderway Agri Expo in Carlisle on 30 October. The Conservative's Mike Starkie, Labour's David Allen and the Liberal Democrats' Libby Bateman participated in the event held in the seminar ring at Borderway Mart. However, a representative from Reform UK was expected to attend but did not arrive. The Green Party's Mark Borthwick also did not participate.

The hustings gave Cumbria's farming and rural communities the opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to become the county's first elected mayor. The event was organised to ensure agriculture, food production, rural businesses and communities feature prominently in discussions about Cumbria's future. Candidates discussed priorities including farming, transport, housing and economic growth.

Mike Starkie said the key themes of his campaign were to 'bring investment into Cumbria not taxes onto Cumbrians'. He outlined the importance of securing deals with Government to deliver on multiple priorities. "We've got housing, transport and agriculture that we've had today," he said. "They're all key industries in Cumbria that require support and require a Cumbrian focus on delivering them." Starkie added that he has been a believer in devolution for over a decade.

Cumbria Combined Authority was formally established in March 2026 and is currently operating without a mayor during a transitional year. The county's first mayoral election will take place in May 2027. The successful candidate will help shape priorities for transport, skills, economic development, housing and investment across Cumbria.

Three Cumbria mayoral candidates debate at hustings; Reform UK absent — Image: Westmorland Gazette

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How it is being reported

Three mayoral candidates outline plans for county - but Reform UK misses eventCumbria mayoral candidates debate farming, transport, housing and growth at Carlisle hustings on October 30; Reform UK no-show ahead of May 2027 vote.Westmorland Gazette · 31 Oct, 05:00
Three mayoral candidates outline plans for county - but Reform UK misses eventCumbria mayoral candidates debate farming, transport, housing and growth at Carlisle hustings on October 30; Reform UK no-show ahead of May 2027 vote.Cumberland News · 31 Oct, 05:00
Three mayoral candidates outline plans for county - but Reform UK misses eventCumbria mayoral candidates debate farming, transport, housing and growth at Carlisle hustings on October 30; Reform UK no-show ahead of May 2027 vote.Whitehaven News · 31 Oct, 05:00
Three mayoral candidates outline plans for county - but Reform UK misses eventCumbria mayoral candidates debate farming, transport, housing and growth at Carlisle hustings on October 30; Reform UK no-show ahead of May 2027 vote.NW Evening Mail · 31 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Cumbria · Mike Starkie · David Allen · Libby Bateman · Mark Borthwick · Cumbria Combined Authority · Carlisle · Reform UK

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