Hello, I am Susan Denham-Smith I have been living in Cumbria for 24 years working in a mixture of Tourism, The Arts, Healthcare, Education and Local government.

Full statement

Green issues have always lead my thinking even well before the Climate Crisis was declared, and support my way of life on my small-holding in the Lake District National Park. I am standing as the candidate for Penrith and Solway for the Green Party, which is a new constituency, made up of a rich mix of rural (farming and fell land) and urban areas (8 main towns and many large villages), where the economy ranges across Farming, Tourism and Industry. My main priorities if elected will all be underpinned by the need to ensure we transition swiftly and fairly to a low carbon economy and create a fairer healthier community. This will include: Delivering affordable and social housing in the places where they are most required, and ensuring that older houses are insulated and transitioned to green energy use. Supporting a fair and just transition to sustainable farming, which will include increasing the support to farmers in the move to nature-friendly farming, creating greater food security by creating fresh food networks by developing domestic food production through community food co-operatives and regenerative growing hubs. Growing jobs in the green energy sector so the move away from fossil fuel production or use is balanced with the growth and skills development in green jobs. Support to finding solutions to improve public transport that work for both rural and urban communities and ensuring that budgets for public transport are equal across the whole country. An Education that ensures every young person reaches their potential by re-emphasising the joy of play in early childhood and exploring the world around them. Ensuring access to GPs and Dentists and introducing free personal care for the elderly. I believe we are on the brink of a new era of caring for the earth with a fairer future for us all.  Vote Green to see Real Hope and Real Change.