Cumbria’s mayoral candidates will face questions from the county’s agricultural, rural and business communities at a specially organised hustings during the UK’s largest autumn livestock event.
Harrison & Hetherington will host a Mayoral Hustings at Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 30th October 2026, giving Cumbria’s farming and rural communities an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates seeking to become the county’s first elected mayor.
Three confirmed candidates will take part: Libby Bateman, Liberal Democrat; Mike Starkie, Conservative; David Allen, Labour. A spokesperson from the Reform party is also expected to attend.
Taking place in the seminar ring at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, from 10.15am until 11.45am, the hustings has been initiated by H&H to ensure agriculture, food production, rural businesses and communities are high enough up the agenda in any discussions about Cumbria’s future.
Cumbria Combined Authority was formally established in March 2026 and is operating without a mayor during a transitional year. The county’s first mayoral election will take place in May 2027, with the successful candidate helping to shape priorities for transport, skills, economic development, housing and investment. This will be an opportunity to understand their rural priorities.
The hustings will be chaired by Michael Walby, Partner and Head of Corporate at Burnetts Solicitors. Drawing on his experience of advising Cumbrian businesses and his longstanding interest in the county’s economic future, he will ensure each candidate has an equal opportunity to respond while maintaining a fair and balanced debate.
As one of Cumbria’s foremost businesses, H&H has worked at the heart of farming and the wider rural sector for generations. The future of Cumbria’s rural economy matters greatly to H&H, making it important that those seeking to become the county’s first elected mayor understand the needs, challenges and ambitions of its rural communities.
Announcing details of the event, Richard Rankin, CEO of H&H Group, said: “Rural life is hugely important to Cumbria’s economy, its people and its identity. It is part of the county’s DNA and must have a strong voice in shaping its future.
“The creation of a combined authority and the election of Cumbria’s first mayor represent a significant change for the county. So, we have initiated this hustings at Borderway Agri Expo to give the candidates an opportunity to see first-hand what the rural sector is all about and experience the passion, knowledge and commitment that drive our farming and rural communities.
“We want to hear how much rural Cumbria matters to each candidate, understand their priorities and learn how they intend to support farming, food production, the countryside and the many businesses and communities connected to them.
“Borderway Agri Expo provides the ideal setting for this important conversation and reflects H&H’s commitment to keeping rural matters at the heart of the county’s agenda.”
Libby Bateman, the Liberal Democrat candidate, is a former Cumbria County Councillor and Rural Adviser with the Country Land and Business Association, with extensive experience of working with farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
Mike Starkie, the Conservative candidate, previously served for eight years as the elected Mayor of Copeland and has held senior leadership roles within the financial services sector.
David Allen, the Labour candidate, is Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and previously served as a police officer before becoming Head of the UK’s Interpol Bureau. David has extensively tackled rural crime over the course of his career, and his family are from a farming background.
Each candidate will outline their main policies and priorities before taking part in a moderator-led discussion focusing on agriculture, the rural economy and communities across Cumbria. They will receive the broad themes in advance, but not the specific questions.
The hustings will be free to attend, and audience members are invited to put questions directly to the candidates. The event will conclude with each candidate delivering a 60-second final message to Cumbria’s rural community.
Borderway Agri Expo is organised by Harrison & Hetherington and will take place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday 30th October 2026. Attended by farmers, breeders, and agricultural professionals from across the UK, the event combines a major livestock showcase with an extensive agricultural trade exhibition. The event will bring together some of the finest livestock in the country, alongside competitions, awards and opportunities to celebrate our future farmers.