ONE of the Lake District's newest councillors has set his sights on becoming Copeland's new MP.

Councillor Graham Kendall is seeking support to stand as the Labour candidate for the seat from which Jamie Reed is stepping down.

The Labour MP has said he is quitting politics at the end of this month to return to work at Sellafield.

Cllr Kendall, who was only appointed to Keswick council in November, is keen to take his place.

He said: “I would consider it if there is demand and not someone else who I would be prepared to support.

“I have got to see if there is sufficient support and see who else is standing.

“Jamie Reed was very keen to get things done, very willing to make the case in Parliament and behind the scenes and I understand why he is going, but it is a shame.

“If someone is doing a good job, it is always going to be disappointing when they leave.

“It makes things interesting for Copeland and puts us in the eye of the national picture.”

The Labour insider worked in parliament for six years, advising ministers at the Home Office and the Department of Health, and now works as a consultant in healthcare.

A father-of-three, he has lived in Keswick for eight years and is a keen fell runner.

Cllr Kendall stresses that it is vital for the new MP to speak for Copeland, rather than just follow any party line.

And he reckons Brexit will play a big part in the campaign for the seat.

He said: “I know that Copeland voted to leave, but I think now we know things that we did not know when the referendum took place.

“People voted for many things, including more money for public services and that the economy would get stronger and that we would stay in the single market.

“Now we know that there is no hope of that money coming to the public services and we will have to leave the single market.

“This is not a general election. This is about giving a voice to those who want real opposition to a government which promised everything and has so far delivered nothing but cuts to public services and long-term economic uncertainty.”

Mr Kendall says the constituency should remain Labour-held because he believes a Conservative candidate would follow the party line and that Ukip would not be able to get the support needed.

He added: “There were a lot of people disaffected with politics at the last election, that is why we need someone to stand up for the local area and not for party politics.”