Many served Labour cause I was disappointed that your leader failed to recognise the success of Labour Westmerians, and only concentrated on Liberals and Tories (Comment, July 16, 'Exciting times for Tim and for Westmorland').

Lord David Clark from Windermere is an active Labour member of the House of Lords and was a cabinet minister in Tony Blair's first government. He was responsible for introducing the Freedom of Information Act.

Edward Short from Kirkby Stephen (later Lord Glenamara) was a senior minister in Harold Wilson's governments.

Kendal was one of the first towns in Britain to have a Labour county councillor and pioneer James Kier Hardie visited Kendal in the 1890s.

As well as famous people, working men and women have served the Labour cause as councillors and activists for many years, and as Labour membership continues to increase substantially will continue to do so with increased enthusiasm in the years ahead.

John Bateson

Labour candidate, Westmorland & Lonsdale General Election 2015

Oxenholme