General Election: Meet the Westmorland and Lonsdale candidates

Find out which parliamentary candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale has scored a goal at Deepdale, who’s been on Blind Date and who’s given Mastermind a go.

We asked candidates a range of questions from what prompted them to get involved in politics to what readers might find the most surprising thing about them.

Here is what the candidates had to say….

Q1) What’s your hobby?

Phil Clayton (Green Party):  I have rather too many; when the weather is kind, I climb, kayak or mountain bike. When it’s not, I make furniture and pottery, cook…and watch Netflix.

James Townley (Reform UK): I’m a keen fisherman. I also spend a lot of my free time tinkering with old engines and cars.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I have three main hobbies – sports, music, and theatre. I am a member of Ambleside AC and I am particularly proud of completing the Bob Graham Round in 2021 and the Fred Whitton this year. I play piano, guitar, and saxophone. I often play the piano for the Grasmere Players (and I can always try and fill in on the organ at Church). I enjoy acting and last year I had the opportunity to perform at the Theatre By The Lake in a play about the Lakes!

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): I lift weights, swim in the lakes and go running.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Fell running and following the misfortunes of Blackburn Rovers.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): I have several, but mostly I love animals and nature. My little flock of sheep brighten every day, and I am determined one day to find a use for their beautiful fleeces! My little pack of rescue dogs also keep me busy.

John Studholme (Independent): My current hobbies are planting trees and writing historical novels and satire.

Q2) Family status

Phil Clayton (Green Party): I’m divorced, with two sons, one studying Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield University, and one part way through A levels at QKS in Kendal. I’m very proud of both of them.

James Townley (Reform UK): I’m married to Bella and we have 2 boys aged 3 and 4.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I am one of a family of five. My partner Isabelle is completing her Master’s in Midwifery while working in the NHS.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): I have a partner.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Married with four children.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): I live with my long-term partner Dean, I’m a step-mum and step-grandma.

John Studholme (Independent): I have been married for 53 years.  I have two children and four grandchildren.

Q3) Education

Phil Clayton (Green Party): I have an engineering degree from Loughborough University, and a Masters degree from Cranfield University. It feels like a long time ago, so I stay up to date by doing online courses and reading as widely as I can.

James Townley (Reform UK): I went to Elleray in Windermere until I was 8 then Malsis in Yorkshire and finished my school years at Giggleswick school. After this I attended Myerscough college where I studied Landscape Design and Construction.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): My most recent degree is a Master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy from Lancaster University. For my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Morehead-Cain scholarship, studying Politics. Growing up, I attended Grasmere Primary School, Elleray Prep School, Windermere St. Anne’s, and won a scholarship to Fettes College.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): I went to school locally and studied History at Cambridge – including 20th century British political history, which started my interest in the Labour Party.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): State school in Lancashire, Newcastle University studying politics.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): I try to learn something new every day! I remember at school I struggled to know what to do for a career as I was ‘quite good’ at lots of things but not ‘really good’ at anything.

I found uni a waste of time and dropped out after three months. Floated around a bit then took a one-year course in Newspaper Journalism, which led to a two-year, on-the-job training on a local evening paper and then I was away, a skilled, employable professional. That then led to a career in television production which lasted nearly 20 years. This convinced me that practical courses which give young people directly employable skills can be of far higher value than the more general degree courses.

John Studholme (Independent): I was educated at the Nelson Thomlinson Grammar School in Wigton, I qualified as Chartered Land Agent and Chartered Surveyor and later as a Property Valuer in Canada.  I have a MSc from Reading University.

Q4) What prompted you to get into politics?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): The sense that the other parties were increasingly sounding the same. That none of them had the courage, or the ideas, to tackle the problems we face. And that my generation needed to try harder, rather than leaving the problems to our children and grandchildren.

James Townley (Reform UK): I’ve always taken a keen interest in politics but never felt the need to get too involved in a party until recently. I’m concerned about the future of the UK and what this means for my children. I believe we need real, tangible change, which Reform UK offers to deliver.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I want to serve as a politician because, to me, politics is fundamentally about service. I believe that my experiences have equipped me to be both a good listener and a man of action. This is about dedicating oneself to the betterment of the community and working tirelessly to address the needs and concerns of the people.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): Through my work, I’ve seen charities working so hard to step up in communities where public services are just not doing the job. Schools can’t afford the essentials, mental health services are overwhelmed and there are more food banks than ever. Enough is enough- it’s time for change.

The cost of living crisis has been the final straw for me – I’ve seen so many people struggling to make ends meet through no fault of their own, and I think it’s an appalling failure of our government.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): When I was 14 years old I watched the film Cathy Come Home. It’s the heartbreaking story of a mother and her young children who become homeless. It made me cry but it also made me angry at those in positions of power and authority who turned up their nose at them and refused to help. I joined the homeless charity Shelter straight after and became passionate about helping people in desperate housing need.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): When tyranny is at the door there is no choice but to get into politics. I am so concerned about what is happening to society, to our rights and our freedoms, and to our young people, especially since 2020. The Heritage Party is the only party offering a choice, a return to traditional values and standing up against the globalist agenda which the main parties appear to have aligned with and which threatens our way of life.

John Studholme (Independent): I have been interested in politics since I was 20.  I thought I could make a difference.

Q5) Have you ever been a member of another party?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Definitely not! (see above).

James Townley (Reform UK): I’ve been a member of the Conservative party for a number of years but became completely disillusioned by them and I can’t see a future with them in their current state.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): No.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): No.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): No.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): Yes, I was a member of the Lib Dems about 20 years ago, for a year or two.

Q6) What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): I’ve recently taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Essentially, I get beaten up by men half my age, but they are twice as strong and skilful. It’s very good for the soul.

James Townley (Reform UK): I have my helicopter pilot’s licence.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I attended UN conferences on Internet Governance as a Youth Delegate, representing the UK. I was able to give a youth perspective in meetings in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Kenya.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): I’m a secret quizzer and I’ve been on Mastermind.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): I scored a goal at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium for my Sunday league team.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): Many years ago I was on the TV show Blind Date. I did get picked, and it was good fun, although I’m afraid love didn’t blossom.

John Studholme (Independent): a 45,000 mile journey around the world from Toronto to Nairobi.

Q7) Last Job:

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Helping an NHS Hospital implement new technology.

James Townley (Reform UK): I’ve worked in Landscape construction for 18 years.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): My previous job was in central government, and I currently work in the defence sector. Additionally, I am a Captain in the Army Reserve with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and a First Responder with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): I lead a grant-making foundation in South Cumbria.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Deputy Registrar at the University of Cumbria.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): Dean and I now run a successful bathroom business, Dean Taylor Bathrooms, designing and installing bathrooms and wetrooms for lovely customers across the South Lakes.

John Studholme (Independent): My last job was working for myself as a Chartered Surveyor.

Q8) Have you stood as MP before?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): No.

James Townley (Reform UK): No.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): This is the first time I am running to be your MP. Westmorland and Lonsdale is not just a constituency to me; it’s my home, and I’m eager to serve and make a meaningful difference here.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): No.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Yes at the last eight general elections. Sometimes successful, sometimes not!

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): No, this is a first!

John Studholme (Independent): I stood as MP for Copeland in 2019 as a Liberal Democrat.

Q9) What’s your ideal night out?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): With my partner. What we do and where we go doesn’t matter.

James Townley (Reform UK): My ideal night out would be having a meal out in a restaurant followed by some live music. I watched James Blunt a couple of months ago at the AO arena which was fantastic!

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): Head out onto the fells on a quiet evening, perhaps up Helvellyn and then down via Dollywagon. Descend and enjoy a drink and some chips at the Traveller’s Rest!

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): A curry, cocktails and home in time for Match of the Day.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Curry in Kendal with friends, followed by a couple of beers at the New Union.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): My days are so busy that I very rarely go out at night, but once a week I do a shift at Staveley Chippy which is such good fun. I love that I get to work with teenagers and it’s so good to see and get to know all the customers. That is pretty much as big a night out as I get these days!

John Studholme (Independent): My ideal night out is an evening with friends.

Q 10) Who is your political hero?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Winston Churchill. A deeply flawed individual, but still the outstanding political figure of the 20th century.

James Townley (Reform UK): I wouldn’t say I’ve ever had a political hero, I’ve admired Ben Wallace and his drive for politics and Rory Stewart’s love for Cumbria is always something I enjoy listening to him talk about.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I admire President Zelenskyy for his remarkable leadership during the ongoing conflict with Russia. He has shown immense bravery, often risking his own safety to unite his people and seek support from the international community.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): Clement Attlee

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Neva Orrell. She was a councillor in Leyland, in Lancashire: she epitomised the can-do/must-do approach to local campaigning that I’ve sought to emulate.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): I don’t think any current or recent politicians could be described as anything like heroic, but I do generally respect anyone who dares to stand up for what they believe in, whether I agree with them or not.

John Studholme (Independent): I have no political heroes.  We are all flawed.

Q11) Your proudest achievement?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Getting selected for this Constituency. Yes, really.

James Townley (Reform UK): My proudest achievement is raising my two wonderful boys alongside my wife Bella. Watching them grow and learn every day is incredibly fulfilling.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): I was proud to have received the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria’s award for helping coordinate a rescue in East Africa. However, I take the most pride in making my family and friends proud. It’s often the small moments that matter the most, like when someone tells me I made their day better or inspired them to take on a new endeavour.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): Being selected to stand for parliament in this seat

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Having a role in raising four healthy, lovely kids

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): Lambing has given some amazing moments over the years, and also starting and building our business has been a wonderful experience.

John Studholme (Independent): My proudest achievement is to bring up a family.

Q12) Your biggest fear?

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Letting my children down.

James Townley (Reform UK): My biggest fear is not being able to provide a secure future for my children in an uncertain world.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): Aside from a Labour government? My biggest fear at this very moment is that we don’t elect a strong local voice that can drive the inward investment required for real change in our area. Without this investment, local people may struggle to build the lives they desire.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): Racer snakes, ever since watching that Planet Earth episode where the snakes chase the iguanas.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): That the West loses its backbone in standing up to bullies.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): I generally choose not to live in fear of anything, but I have to say that both zombies and the prospect of living under a totalitarian government give me equal heebie-jeebies!

John Studholme (Independent): My biggest fear is for something to harm the family.

Q13) Describe yourself in three words

Phil Clayton (Green Party): Brave. Loyal. Disorganised.

James Townley (Reform UK): Dedicated, compassionate, determined.

Matty Jackman (Conservative Party): Dedication, Service, Family.

Pippa Smith (Labour Party): Empathetic, Determined, Optimistic.

Tim Farron (Liberal Democrats): Imperfect public servant.

Izzy Solabarrieta (The Heritage Party): Optimistic, loyal, compassionate.

John Studholme (Independent): Resolute, caring and lucky.

Wendy Long, the Social Democrat Party Candidate, has not responded to the questions.