POLITICIANS across west Cumbria have been reacting to news that a General Election will take place this summer, following the announcement from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday.

Mr Sunak, who has been Prime Minister since October 2022, has called the election after months of speculation about its date.

Announcing the election, the Prime Minister said: "The king has granted the dissolution of parliament, and the election will be on July 4."

In north Cumbria there will be two seats in contention, following boundary changes brought into force across the country last year: Penrith and the Solway, and Whitehaven and Workington.

The Whitehaven and Workington seat will take in much of the former Copeland constituency as well as Workington, Northside, Seaton and Flimby.

Labour candidate for Workington and Whitehaven Josh MacAlister, said: "I’ve been putting my case to voters across West Cumbria for the last 12 months and the message they’ve fed back to me is clear - with our NHS on its knees, the cost of living soaring and no plan for jobs and industry, it is time for change.

"A Labour MP and a Labour government will deliver the change we need and I look forward to getting out and speaking to thousands more voters in the weeks ahead to continue promoting my plan for West Cumbria and Labour’s plan for the country."

Conservative candidate for the Whitehaven and Workington seat, Andrew Johnson said: ""The critical choice facing voters in Whitehaven and Workington at the forthcoming election is between a Conservative candidate who backs the new coking coal mine, new nuclear at Moorside, and continued investment into West Cumbria.

"Compared to Labour who are on record as saying they will stop with mine if they form the next government, can't be trusted on new nuclear, have a weak record running Cumberland Council, and continue to talk down the area."

Liberal Democrat candidate Chris Wills said: "I'm ready for this fight. I was about to announce a series of Universal Credit and Benefit Roadshows to directly and practically help people in the constituency - I'll be bringing these forward.

"I have a programme for creating home insulation from locally produced wool and this will bring more career jobs.

"I'm calling for new and faster road links to the west coast - and I know how that can happen.

"I will be active as a Cumberland Councillor whatever the result of the General Election is - and that will prioritise an emphasis on affordable home provision. More action and no false promises"

The towns of Maryport, Cockermouth, Keswick, Silloth and many of the villages will join Penrith and the surrounding areas in the new Penrith and Solway constituency, with the three main parties having selected their candidates for the next election.

Current Tory Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has said voters now have a choice to make and said that Rishi Sunak is 'a Prime Minister who has delivered for Cumbria'.

He will be fighting for the new Penrith and Solway constituency seat at the next election.

"The election in December 2019 bestowed on me one of the greatest honours there is - representing my peers in Parliament," he said.

"There is something bittersweet about this election, as the reconfigured Penrith and Solway seat loses the town of Workington and gains the towns and villages east of Cockermouth.

"I am looking forward to championing the needs of its constituents, just as I have for the current Workington constituency.

"The people of Cumbria know I have their back – and that I am someone who delivers on his promises.

"I’ve always been proud to be an accessible and visible MP, and that’s one of the most regular things I hear from voters. I look forward to speaking to as many people as possible over the next six weeks."

Labour candidate for the Penrith and Solway constituency and current Keswick councillor for Cumberland Markus Campbell-Savours has welcomed the election saying 'people want change'.

Mr Campbell-Savours said: "The General Election has just been called and it's time for change. This is our chance to build a better Britain and a better Penrith and Solway.

"People here want change, after 14 years of the Conservatives. Families are worse off, less safe and have fewer opportunities and we know that things can be better."

He said that if elected to be MP he will 'fight to get the NHS back on it's feet, deal with the recruitment crisis in Cumbria's health service and tackle the NHS dental deserts'.

The Liberal Democrats will also have a candidate for the new Penrith and Solway seat in the form of agricultural spokeswoman Julia Aglionby who is 'delighted' that the election has been called, describing Cumbria as a 'distinct place with distinct needs'.

She said: "I am delighted an election has been called - Britain needs change and I am ready to represent Penrith & Solway - to be a strong voice for Cumbria’s communities from Alston to Silloth, from Buttermere to Burgh by Sands.

"Cumbria is a distinct place with distinct needs - the Liberal Democrats have the values and the track record in rural Cumbria to hold national government to account to ensure Penrith & Solway thrives.