Penrith and Solway candidates reveal more about themselves

We put a series of questions to them ranging from their hobbies and ideal nights out, to something surprising about themselves that our readers may not know.

Any election hopefuls yet to announce their candidacy will be approached in a future edition.

Here is what our initial candidates had to say...

Markus Campbell-Savours (Labour) 

Markus Campbell Savours (Image: Newsquest)

Family status: Married with two children.

Education: Financial Economics Degree and Electrical Installation Apprenticeship.

Last job: Electrical Contracts Manager.

What prompted you to get into politics? The housing crisis and general lack of affordable housing, the climate crisis and the war in Iraq.

What previous political experience did you have? I've been politically active for over 20 years, mainly campaigning, knocking on doors and listening to people's issues. In 2019 I was elected as the councillor for Keswick, the town I was brought up in and where I currently live with my family. 

Have you ever been a member of another party? No. The Labour Party is a broad church of opinion and even if I substantially changed my view on a key issue, I know I'd still feel at home in the party. Ultimately, we're all driven by a sense of injustice at how many in our society are treated.

Have you stood as MP before? No.

Who is your political hero? Politics is broken and it often feels like we don't do political heroes anymore. But you'd be hard pushed to do better than Aneurin Bevan. When he created the NHS, he showed us how dogged and determined we need to be. It's the approach we need now to get the NHS back on its feet. I should also probably mention my father, who showed me how dedicated an MP can be to their constituents.

What is your hobby? I love playing and listening to music. Since Covid I've loved live music events and seeing the home grown talent we have in Cumbria.

What’s your ideal night out? It would involve friends, music and very spicy food.

What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers? It seems to surprise some people that I started my career on the tools as an electrician, or as one Penrith resident put it the other day: "You've had a proper job!"

Your proudest achievement? My children.

Your biggest fear? Death in the family.

Describe yourself in three words: Determined, dedicated, unrelenting.

Mark Jenkinson (Conservative)

Mark Jenkinson (Image: Supplied)

Family status: Married, with four children.

Education: Newton Rigg College and Workington Technical College.

Last job: Member of Parliament for Workington

What prompted you to get into politics?  It was about 15 years ago, in response to local councillors' failures on Workington Hall, allowing it to decay beyond repair. I saw it as an opportunity to better represent local people’s concerns.

What previous political experience did you have? I am the former chairman of my parish council, the former deputy leader of Allerdale Borough Council and the former Member of Parliament for Workington.

Have you ever been a member of another party? I briefly left the Conservative Party to fight for a referendum on our membership of the European Union. I stood as the UKIP candidate in 2015 before returning to the Conservative Party.

Have you stood as MP before? Yes, in 2015 and 2019.

Who is your political hero?  John Christian Curwen, former Member of Parliament for Cumberland. He created a sickness insurance scheme that was the precursor to the original National Insurance, and developed many of the agricultural practices we use today on his model farm.

What is your hobby?   When you’re an MP there’s little time for hobbies other than politics and casework. When I’m not working, I am dad, husband and taxi driver for the kids and their various clubs and interests - so maybe being “dad's taxi” is my hobby. You’ll also often find me standing pitchside at weekends at a grassroots sports pitch.

What’s your ideal night out? Visiting one of our many fabulous local pubs or restaurants for a family meal.

What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers?  I was the first Member of Parliament to use Cumberland dialect in my maiden speech in the House of Commons.

Your proudest achievement? Somehow convincing Dawn to say yes! And being a dad.

Your biggest fear? A Labour government. I remember the last one…

Describe yourself in three words: Proud Cumbrian Man

Julia Aglionby (Liberal Democrats)

Julia Aglionby (Image: Supplied)

Family status: Married with two children at uni

Education: PhD in managing common land in National Parks

Last job: Portfolio career including running a £3million Lottery National Project, ‘Our Upland Commons’, working as a land agent at a local auction mart, and Professor of Practice at University of Cumbria

What prompted you to get into politics? Horrified by the impacts of Brexit on our economy and our children’s future.

What previous political experience did you have? Ran for MP in 2019

Have you ever been a member of another party? No

Have you stood as MP before?  Yes, in 2019 for Carlisle

Who is your political hero? Shirley Williams

What is your hobby? Wild swimming

What’s your ideal night out? Supper with friends after a day’s walking or biking               

What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers?  I swam the 80-mile River Eden in 2023.

Your proudest achievement? Converting Susan’s Farm into an educational charity that as a care farm now employs seven brilliant people and transforms lives for over 3,000 people each year.

Your biggest fear? The future for our farming communities who are being asked to produce food and look after the environment for less than the cost of delivery.

Describe yourself in three words: Passionate, No-nonsense, Non-conformist

Susan Denham Smith, the Green Party candidate for Penrith and Solway, was approached to participate in this piece.