Libby Bateman Outlines Cumbrian Priorities for Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Libby Bateman, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming Mayor of Cumbria election, issued a set of priorities for Prime Minister Andy Burnham following his first cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Bateman called for the Labour Government to secure a better deal for local health services, citing a system where patients wait hours at A&E and months for vital treatment while staff remain overwhelmed.

Bateman's demands include fairer funding for rural councils to prevent service cuts and increased support for farmers to protect food security. She also urged the government to invest in jobs, housing, and transport to enable the Cumbrian economy to thrive.

These requests come as Bateman prepares for the May 2027 mayoral election. She will compete against Conservative candidate Mike Starkie and Labour candidate David Allen for the leadership of the newly established Cumbria Combined Authority, which oversees long-term planning for the region's environment, employment, and transport.