Mike Starkie for Mayor of Cumbria

27/05/2026

Great to see a Whitehaven lad lift a major European Trophy tonight 🏆well done Dean Henderson

27/05/2026

Column in this weeks local press

Well it has certainly been a turbulent few weeks in politics, particularly for this Labour government.

First the Prime Minister was engulfed in the Mandelson scandal of his own making - there will be more to come on that when they finally get round to releasing the files, which could be terminal for his job as PM. That is if he has not already been replaced by then, by the self-styled ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham.

After less than two years Labour have gone in on their own PM, with a cabinet minister and several ministers resigning - and other cabinet and junior ministers among the 100 Labour MPs calling for him to set a timetable for his departure, including two Cumbrian Labour MPs
Polling of Labour members shows that, of the 400+ Labour MPs in Parliament not one of them would beat the hapless Kier Starmer in a leadership challenge.

That tells us their talent pool is as shallow as a puddle.

The fact the Labour are failing in government is clear and obvious, but for that message to be coming daily from within their own ranks emphasises just how inept they have been.

Wes Streeting. Leadership contender and a high-profile member of Labours top team until recently, was quoted as saying they came into government without a plan and did not know what they were doing (who knew?!).

It is an incredible admission, but it is reflected by their lack of direction, which has been typified by multiple U-turns by a leader who had displayed those traits from the outset. When seeking the leadership he pandered to left, only to abandon them when it became politically advantageous. He believes in nothing more than self-preservation, but he appears to be running out of road.

For a party that claimed the grown ups were back in charge and a manifesto that made 38 references to ‘ending the chaos’, they have descended into total chaos, and left the country virtually ungoverned while they wait the arrival of their Mancunian messiah.

Burnham, it appears, is using the Kier Starmer campaign playbook of telling everybody what he thinks they want to hear, and already in week one has made up to five screeching U-turns on previously stated positions.

This was clearly demonstrated at the Labour Conference last autumn he was unequivocal in his desire to rejoin the EU, last week he changed his mind and said he was not advocating rejoining, and he would respect the referendum.
But we know that is just for the by-election, and he’ll go running back to the EU in a heartbeat once he has the position he’s coveted through his political career.

He also pledged to take his promised increase in defence spending out of the fiscal rules. which caused panic on the Bond Markets. But again last week he changed his mind.

So if he plans to stick to the fiscal rules and not borrow to fund his promised spending splurge, where is the money coming from? It certainly won’t be from cutting the welfare bill, Labour MPs have shown they won’t allow it, it will be added to the burden on already highly taxed working people.

He will be just another piper playing the same miserable tune.

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

The Conservative Party will CLOSE the shocking loophole that allows husbands who claim more than one wife to get additional benefits.

In Britain, marriage is between two people. Foreign nationals who marry multiple wives overseas should not be allowed to unfairly benefit.

Our analysis has revealed that a home with one husband and four wives would claim up to £78,229 per year - £39,406 more than a standard couple. It even shows that a household with eleven wives could claim a shocking £170,175 per annum.

We will close this loophole.

Our welfare state should reflect British values of equality between men and women, fairness for taxpayers, and respect for the law.

25/05/2026

Well done to all the local businesses, town/parish councillors and community activists who have pressured National Highways into a re-think. A full and comprehensive consultation must now take place to identify a solution that satisfies all stakeholders

24/05/2026

Good to meet up with Jobert Fermilan an Infrastructure Project Professional in Penrith this weekend

I am always keen to meet up with entrepreneurial people from all sectors of the Cumbrian economy with expertise and experience in their own field and strong opinions on what Cumbria needs to prioritise to grow the Cumbrian economy.

Strategic Infrastructure projects are key to the expansion of the entire Cumbrian economy

23/05/2026

Lunch in Carlisle yesterday with Lord Oliver Henley his wife Caroline and Carlisle business man and entrepreneur Khal Moualem.

Delighted to have their support as part of our team campaigning for the Cumbrian Mayoral Election on May 6th 2027

22/05/2026

Great to meet up in Penrith today with Mark Graham a retired Communications Director who worked with former Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace and Peter McCall the widely respected former two term Cumbria PFCC.

I am delighted to have both Mark and Peter supporting and contributing to my Mayoral campaign, both bring great experience and provide wise counsel.

21/05/2026

One thing I’ve noticed during this campaign is how many people understandably expect local councillors to be able to influence national issues like immigration, inflation or foreign policy.

The reality is a bit different.

Local councillors deal with the things that shape everyday life here in Hawcoat & Newbarns and across Barrow:
housing issues, potholes, anti-social behaviour, safeguarding concerns, local facilities, green spaces, community groups and helping residents navigate systems that can often feel frustrating or overwhelming.

A good councillor won’t agree with every other councillor politically. But local government also works best when people from different parties are still able to work together where it matters for the community.

That’s the sort of councillor I want to be.

Present, approachable, involved locally and focused on practical issues that genuinely affect people’s day-to-day lives.

I care deeply about Hawcoat & Newbarns and I believe local politics works best when it stays connected to the reality of the place and the people it represents.