Sir Keir Starmer - Leader of the Labour Party - has spoken out AGAINST the Whitehaven mine during a visit to Workington today.

When asked for his party's position on Woodhouse Colliery, Sir Keir said: “I'm a big supporter of anything that generates jobs in Cumbria but a new coal mine isn't the way forward on this.”

Andy Pratt, Chair of Copeland Conservative Association, said: "We are disappointed – but not surprised – that Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, has used his visit to West Cumbria today to speak out against the Woodhouse Colliery mine in Whitehaven.

“Copeland Conservatives are 100% supportive of this development. It will bring significant investment into our area, providing well-paid jobs and opportunities both at the mine directly - during construction and operation - and in the supply chain.

“Furthermore, by accessing a homegrown source of coking coal for the steel-making industry, it will reduce our reliance on imported coal and the damaging environmental impact this has.

“The Conservatives are the party of development, investment and opportunity; the same cannot be said of the opposition, and the Labour Leader’s staunch opposition to our mine only goes to prove that even further.

"Conservatives are the only choice for the Cumberland Council elections on Thursday, May 5."

Cumberland Council elections May 2022 | Copeland (copelandconservatives.org.uk)