The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria, Libby Bateman is encouraging businesses across the county to supporting staff to undertake life-saving suicide awareness training.

Cumbria has one the highest suicide rate in England, with over five people dying by suicide each month - more than double the number of road deaths.

Libby is calling on employers to allow staff to take part in the “Orange Button” training programme, delivered by local charity Every Life Matters.

The Orange Button initiative equips participants with the skills and confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, start supportive conversations, and signpost to professional help.

Libby said: “If more people know how to spot the signs and step in early, we can create a safety net across Cumbria. This is about empowering ordinary people to do extraordinary things and potentially saving lives.

“By simply giving staff a few hours to complete this training, employers can make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of their workforce and the wider community. It’s a small investment of time that could have an immeasurable impact.”

The campaign aims to normalise conversations around mental health and reduce stigma, particularly in rural and isolated areas where access to support can be more limited.

Every Life Matters has already trained thousands of people across Cumbria, with the Orange Button becoming a recognised symbol of someone who is safe to talk to.

Businesses and individuals interested in taking part in Orange Button training can find out more and register via Every Life Matters.


 

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria, Libby Bateman has written to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, asking for a long-term plan to invest in the West Coast Main Line.

It comes as damning statistics show that Penrith, Oxenholme, and Carlisle are

among the worst performing stations in the country for cancellations and delays.

According to the website On Time Trains, Penrith ranks as the second worst station in Great Britain for reliability over the past six weeks.

In her letter, Libby put forward a number of upgrades which have been suggested by people in the rail industry including longer passing loops to allow passenger trains to pass slower freight trains and improved signalling and track layout at Carlisle and Lancaster stations.

Writing to the Transport Secretary, Libby Bateman said, “The West Coast Main Line is an absolutely pivotal transport link for Cumbria.

“But for too long, passengers have had to put up with endless disruption, with a huge impact on businesses and to our visitor economy.

“It is also deeply damaging to regional growth in Cumbria.

“It’s painfully clear that an investment strategy is needed.”

 

Today, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria, Libby Bateman, has started a public petition, calling on the Government to drop controversial plans to merge Cumbria’s police force.

It was recently announced that the Home Secretary is considering merging England’s 43 police constabularies into as few as 12 or 15 larger regional forces.

The plans raise fears that we could lose police resources from our county to tackle crime in places like Preston and Lancaster.

Liberal Democrats on Cumberland Council recently put forward a motion opposing any merger, but this was voted down by Labour councillors.

Libby said: “We are very lucky in Cumbria to have an excellent local police force, full of hard-working and dedicated officers who know their communities inside out.

“But that is all being put at risk by plans from this Labour Government which would no doubt see resources taken from Cumbria and put into urban areas outside of the county.

“At a time when rural crime isn’t given the attention it deserves from those in Whitehall, this would be an even further backward step.

“If you agree that Cumbria Police shouldn’t be merged with Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Durham or any other police force, then please sign our petition today.”

Libby’s petition can be signed at www.libbyforcumbria.uk/police

 

The Liberal Democrats have today announced the selection of Libby Bateman as their candidate for Cumbria Mayoral elections which are expected to take place in May 2027.

Libby brings with her years of experience of working alongside Cumbrian communities to find solutions to problems; driving change on issues such as digital connectivity, countryside access, rural crime, housing, and public transport.

As a former Cumbria County Councillor and current Board Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Libby has a wide range of experience of working across local government, ensuring public money is well spent on vital infrastructure and services.

Libby has a proven record of community action. Her achievements range from founding a local First Responder team and establishing a community bus charity, to building a community broadband network and successfully campaigning to fund county-wide delivery. Today, she works for Fibrus, connecting Cumbria's most rural areas to full-fibre, hyperfast broadband.

A champion of Cumbrian farming and rural business, Libby spent seven years as a rural advisor and lobbyist for the Country Land and Business Association (the CLA). Working side by side with rural businesses and government to ensure fair and relevant policy making for communities across the North of England.

Libby said: “Cumbria is unique in its geography, economy, and communities, and we need investment that reflects those local realities, not a one-size-fits-all model. A Mayoral Strategic Authority will bring decision-making powers and long-term funding home to Cumbria, allowing us to prioritise what matters most: better public transport, affordable housing, skills development, and safer, stronger communities.

“I’m honoured to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria. Over the next 18 months, I’ll be out and about listening to people and businesses across the County, working together to shape a more resilient, prosperous future. This is not about one person, it’s about Cumbria having a stronger voice and a better deal for everyone.”

The Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron said: “For this form of devolution to work for Cumbria, we need a mayor who is totally immersed in our communities, listening to and working with local people and businesses to tackle the issues facing our county.

“So I’m thrilled that Libby Bateman has been selected as our candidate – someone with a fantastic track record of getting alongside local communities to get things done, whether that’s better bus services or improved broadband.

“As a former Conservative councillor, she represents many people across our county who are appalled at what the Conservative Party have become in recent years, and have instead turned to the Liberal Democrats.

“Libby will fight to get Cumbria’s voice heard, and I’m proud to stand with her in that fight.”