A national campaign to stop a Conservative landslide and build "progressive alliances" between opposition parties will hold one of its first meetings in Carlisle tomorrow.

The cross-party organisation Compass held its launch in London today, and is hoping to get its message across in marginal seats - including Carlisle, Copeland, Workington and Barrow.

The Carlisle campaign aims to prevent the Tories holding the seat, which it claims would be bad for democracy.

Instead they want to build a "good society", which it says would be more equal, sustainable and democratic.

The meeting follows a decision by the Green Party not to field candidates in Carlisle, Workington or Copeland.

Local activists are urging anyone who wants to find out more to attend tonight's meeting at Tullie House.

The event is taking the form of a “barnstorming” session, a technique used in the US during Bernie Sanders' election campaign to mobilise his supporters.

Helen Davison, of Carlisle Green party, said there is a real desire locally among "progressives" to work together in the run up to the election in a bid to oust former MP John Stevenson.

“Given our unfair and outdated first past the post voting system there is only one voting option in Carlisle that has any chance of preventing the Tories getting back in," she said.


"And as Greens we realise that to do that we need to be working together with other political parties and others in our community who also share that aim. We recognise that people in all progressive parties have similar views on many subjects and by working together, we have much more chance of achieving them.

"So we very much welcome anyone with the desire to work towards a good society, be they political or not."

Mr Stevenson has criticised the Greens for deciding not to stand in Carlisle and taking a strong anti-Conservative stance.

He said in a democracy it should be up to individual voters to decide who they want in power, not tactical voting.

The meeting runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Tuesday at Tullie House.