Labour’s MP candidate for Carlisle has hit out at the incumbent Tory MP for ‘ignoring’ flood defence plans for the city.

Julie Minns said of the central government’s four-phase plan to improve Carlisle’s flood defences unveiled in 2019, only two have been completed, and after writing to the floods minister on the other two she received no response.

The originally pledged £25million after Storm Desmond had four phases, the first completed in 2019 at a cost of £8million, the second in June 2021.

The remaining two phases incomplete has left residents feeling anxious when there’s heavy rain, Ms Minns said.

She said she believes ‘conservative complacency and chaos’ have left residents ‘unnecessarily exposed to flooding’, and the sitting MP hasn't been ‘pushing ministers for answers’ about Carlisle's ‘missing flood defences’.

“According to the official Parliamentary record, the last time John Stevenson raised flooding in Parliament was in 2016.

“Yet in the same period, he has asked about the probate registry on no fewer than six occasions.

“I don't know how many constituents contact their MP about probate problems, but I do know a lot of people I speak to who worry about Carlisle flooding again."

In response, Mr Stevenson said as MP he helped secure the £25million and supported the Flood Re initiative ‘which has been hugely beneficial to many households in Carlisle’.

He added: “Julie clearly doesn’t understand the role of an MP as I have been in contact with ministers and the Environment Agency among others constantly over the years.”