MPs back anti-unitary campaign

Three Cumbrian MPs plan to voice their opposition in parliament to proposals for a county-wide unitary authority.

Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, Conservative David Maclean and Labour's Eric Martlew will oppose the scheme in an adjournment debate on Tuesday.

In March, the government shortlisted Cumbria County Council's bid to replace the area's six district councils with a single authority.

Ministers will make a final decision in July following consultation.

Mr Farron, MP for Westmorland, said: "We need government which is close to the people and delivers the services people want on boundaries which they identify with.

'Local identity'

"The government needs to recognise that Cumbria is an amalgamation of four historic counties and to fuse this huge area into one unitary authority ignores our local identity."

The chief executives of five of the six district councils - Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland and South Lakeland - are also opposing the unitary scheme.

They say a unitary council would reduce the quality of local services.

Eric Martlew is the MP for Carlisle, while David Maclean represents Penrith and the Borders.