The Westmorland Gazette sat down with five parliamentary candidates to discuss their plans if they become a MP.

Following the recent boundary change, the Morecambe and Lunesdale seat has grown to be more vital for certain residents in south Cumbria.

The constituency now covers places such as Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kendal South, Levens, Crooklands, and Milnthorpe.

With that in mind, we spoke to the people aiming to earn your vote ahead of the General Election on July 4.

How did you first get into politics?

David Morris (Conservatives): "I turned on the news one night, listened to a soldier involved in the Bosnia Crisis, and that was when I first started thinking about being more politically active."

Lizzi Collinge (Labour): "It was in 2014 after I'd had my first child. I was fed up with the way the country was going and wanted to get off my armchair."

Gina Dowding (Green): "I was really concerned about big topics and creating solutions that suit everyone's needs. And then I picked up on more local issues, such as saving local markets."

Peter Jackson (Liberal Democrats): "I was always into politics from my youth, although I did not join a political party until 2015. Since then I have fought four local election campaigns and was elected to Lancaster City Council in 2023."

Barry Parsons (Reform UK): "In 2007, a post office near me was going to close and so I spoke at a meeting. People seemed to be impressed with what I had to say and they encouraged me to do it more often."

How did you react to the Election announcement?

DM: "I woke up that morning and could just tell that something was going to happen. But we knew this was coming so I at least wasn't as shocked as everyone else."

LC: "I was so happy because people deserve the right to choose the Government representing them."

GD: "We knew it was coming, although I was still surprised that Rishi (Sunak) called it."

PJ: "I expected it in May, when it did not come, and then in October and it came three months early. So the announcement was a surprise, but our campaigning had already started."

BP: "I think it was done out of fear more than courage, a reaction to what we're heading towards with another possible 'Winter of Discontent'."

How strong is the position of your party in south Cumbria?

DM: "The boundary change has obviously impacted things. I was speaking to one man in Dent who wanted to know what I could do for him if I'm based in Morecambe, but I hope my reputation of getting things done holds true."

LC: "We're doing everything we can to make people trust us and let them know we'll represent them. But it's a long way off right now and no votes have been cast."

GD: "We're hopeful that the Greens are going to have their best ever year. We want to see people who are used to voting Green locally to realise that we can do it on the big stage too."

PJ: "We won more votes than any other party in the most recent local elections across the constituency and we represent more voters in local government than any other party as well."

BP: "We're about to find out! I'm always sceptical of polls, but I've been out speaking to plenty of people, and it's encouraging to hear what they're saying."

What are your plans if you were to win in July?

DM: "I want to build upon the success of the Eden Project in Morecambe, because I know that can massively benefit the whole constituency."

LC: "My main focus revolves around healthcare and social care, particularly in rural areas. But buses and trains are also vital in these regions as we don't want people to be cut off."

GD: "The Eden Project needs to support local people and businesses. And I've got a passion for ensuring smaller towns remain vibrant."

PJ: "The Eden Project is of course a priority, but tourism elsewhere is important too. The use of limited housing resources for holiday accommodation must be controlled."

BP: "I want to show courage. We need to learn how to say no in terms of immigration. And the increase of the tax threshold to £20,000 is going to help those who are less well off."