Find out what politicians in Barrow, Ulverston and Kendal want to change in our society in 2019

What are their priorities and what would they like to see achieved for the Furness and South Lakeland area, if they could.

Local Democracy Reporter ELLIS BUTCHER speaks to Barrow Labour stalwart, Anne Burns; Furness farmer and Conservative, James Airey, and Kendal-based South Lakeland District Council leader Giles Archibald, of the Liberal Democrats.

WALNEY-based councillor Anne Burns is the deputy leader of the Labour group on Cumbria County Council and its cabinet member for childrens services. She has been a councillor since 1985. In 2019, she would like to see deprivation and poverty come to an end. Or as she says “putting the building blocks back in place to support those in need.” She said it has been taken away “brick by brick” by cuts to local councils from Barrow Borough Council to Cumbria County Council. Hindpool born-and-bred, Cllr Burns, aged 70, said she remembered a time when everyone was in the same boat – poor - but everyone looked after each other’s children. She believes Margaret Thatcher’s “there’s no such thing as society” fostered a new “me first” mentality. Now aged 70, she said: “The poverty used to be there but it was different. Everyone was the same and we all worked together. I don’t see that sense of community in the street anymore and I want to get back to that sort of community. There’s a lot of kids doing extremely well and a lot of parents doing a wonderful job and there is a lot of talent out there. But I have seen things I never thought I would see in 2018.

“Kids going to school with holes in their shoes, kids that are missing out and don’t have a life. Some parents are not getting them up, not washing them, feeding them or getting them to school – may that’s because they never had it themselves, or they themselves are vulnerable or out of it. Older people are suffering too. It’s never those with a lot of money who suffer when there’s cuts, it’s always the poorest and weakest.”

COUNCILLOR James Airey, of Urswick, is the leader of the opposition Conservatives on Cumbria County Council. He said low wages in the South Lakeland area is something he would like to put right. He said: “2018 has seen our nation’s economy continue to grow, unemployment at a 43-year low, the number of young people out of work half of what it was in 2010 and wages rising at their fastest pace in nearly 10 years. This means more people have the security of a job and can provide for their families. He said: “But as other parts of the country benefit, in South Lakeland average wages continue to lag behind the rest of the nation. Securing investment in new infrastructure for our area is a vital ingredient to supporting our local economy to deliver the pay rise South Lakeland needs and deserves. But to get that infrastructure in place, we need a fresh approach. There is no getting away from the fact that resources for new infrastructure projects are not limitless, but this has not prevented councils and parliamentary representatives in other parts of our region from forging alliances and securing new investment for their areas. There are 649 other parliamentary constituencies in the UK whose MPs and local councils are all competing to show that their area should be at the top of the list for new infrastructure spending. To get South Lakeland’s voice heard when the big decisions are taken, our local political leaders should not be afraid to put party labels to one side and pull together to give South Lakeland’s families and young people that well-earned pay rise. That is my wish for 2019.”

KENDAL-based councillor, Giles Archibald, leader of South Lakeland District Council, was elected to the authority in 2012. In recent months, he has warned the council chamber of its duties to poverty in the area and the threat of climate change. Cllr Archibald said: “Kendal has just been ranked as one of the 10 happiest places to live. I am sure this happiness extends to the rest of the district. We are truly fortunate to live in such a wonderful and pleasant environment. My hope for 2019 is that the we can begin to find solutions to some of the problems that might impact our collective happiness. For example Brexit: whatever the outcome, some people will likely be disappointed. I hope that the division in our society will begin to heal and that civilised and reasoned discourse will characterise our future political debate. Climate change is hugely worrying. If we continue along the current pathway, sea levels will rise, millions will be flooded out of their homes, diseases will spread, there may be food shortages, and more than 30 per cent of species will likely die, and the coral reefs will disappear. I am optimistic we will begin to adequately remedy the situation - but it will need to be very soon. Sadly, the poorest in our societies are likely to suffer most from adverse climate change. Indeed, in the current economic environment they have already suffered. As an example, child poverty in this area is too high and growing. Homelessness is also rising as is the use of local food banks. I hope that 2019 will bring cheer to the most vulnerable and that they will reduce in number. I would also mention mental health - particularly among the young. I read with great distress about teen suicides, drug addiction and the large number of teenagers who self-harm. By focusing on this issue in 2019, I hope society can alleviate this mental stress. So we have some challenges. But I believe that by working together we can find solutions. South Lakeland is a fantastic and resourceful place and I look forward to working with the community to address these important issues.”