A MAYORAL election candidate has urged new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to give Cumbria greater "the powers and resources."
Mr Burnham gave his first speech as Prime Minister outside Number 10 Downing Street on Monday, telling the press and public that he will return powers of self-governance to communities, arguing that since the 1980s, "political power was centralised, economic power privatised, large parts of the country de-industrialised."
Conservative candidate in the forthcoming mayoral election, Mike Starkie has urged Mr Burnham "to give Cumbria the powers and resources he repeatedly called for during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester."
Mr Starkie believes Mr Burnham’s elevation to Downing Street demonstrated the influence directly elected mayors can have but stressed that "Cumbria should not be left behind as further powers are devolved from Whitehall."
In 2027, Mr Starkie will seek to be elected Mayor of Cumbria, taking-on Liberal Democrat candidate Libby Bateman and Labour candidate David Allen at the ballot box.
The winner of that election battle will head-up the new Cumbria Combined Authority, drawing down greater powers of decision-making from Whitehall.
Combined Authority Mayors are responsible for driving economic development; delivering job creation schemes and implementing an integrated transport plan.
Mr Burnham was responsible for delivering these improvements in Greater Manchester from May 2017, until June 2026 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Makerfield.
He contested the seat with the intention of challenging then Prime Minister and Labour Leader Keir Starmer.
On Friday, Mr Burnham was elected as the new Labour leader, following Mr Starmer's resignation.
Mr Starkie said that Mr Burnham "spent years arguing that Greater Manchester needed greater control over its own money, infrastructure, skills and economic future.
"He is now in a position to extend those same freedoms to the rest of the country.
"Cumbria has a compelling case for full devolution. We cover one of the largest geographical areas in England, face distinctive transport and infrastructure challenges and have enormous potential in energy, defence, advanced manufacturing, tourism and the rural economy.
"What we now need is the power and investment to unlock that potential."
Mr Starkie believes that previously established mayoral authorities could again be prioritised unless the Government makes a clear commitment to Cumbria.
Mr Starkie called on the Prime Minister to set out a clear timetable for transferring further powers and funding to Mayoral Combined Authorities, including control over infrastructure, skills and economic development.
He added: "Devolution must mean more than passing down responsibilities while expecting local households to pick up the bill.
Mr Starkie added that if elected, he "will not introduce a mayoral precept or a tourist tax.
"I will oppose any attempt to absorb Cumbria Police into a remote regional force," he said, adding that his priority "will be to bring investment into Cumbria, not impose new taxes on Cumbrians."
Mr Starkie said: "Andy Burnham now has the opportunity to demonstrate that his belief in devolution extends beyond Greater Manchester.
"Cumbria has waited long enough.
"We need the same powers, the same freedoms and the same confidence that Whitehall has already shown in other parts of the country."
Mike Starkie is the former mayor of Copeland.
