John Stevenson (pictured), has received a boost in his bid to become the first Conservative MP for Carlisle since the 1960s with the Lib Dem candidate for the seat from the last election giving him his backing.
Steven Tweedie, the Lib Dem candidate for Carlisle in 2005, is quoted in the Cumberland News:
“The electorate of Carlisle face an important choice. Do we stay with Labour yet again or embrace change and vote for John Stevenson – the only alternative candidate that can win the constituency? I firmly believe that Carlisle needs a new direction. Labour has failed to deliver for Carlisle and the Labour Government has been a disaster.
“Of all the candidates, John Stevenson is the least tribal and the most likely to advance the cause of our city. I wish to endorse him personally and would encourage others to give him their support.”
Carlisle has not returned a Conservative MP since the 1959 general election, but the redrawn boundaries mean that John requires a swing of 6.7% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 5,085 (based on the Rallings and Thrasher figures). It is also an open race, with the sitting Labour MP of 23 years standing down at this election.
Jonathan Isaby
