"I'm just going to echo Markus. it's almost like he'd read my speech. I would like to start by thanking the Returning Officer, his team here at the count and all the people who manned polling stations today and helped run the election. I would also like to thank the Police for their service and dedication to the constituency, and their role in enabling this election, keeping my fellow candidates and dedicated campaigners safe.
There has been no greater honour than being a Member of Parliament and representing my fellow Cumbrians, and whilst I am disappointed in the result, I must congratulate the new Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours – I wish you well and offer you all the luck for your future.
To all the other candidates who have also worked hard over recent weeks during this election, I would like to wish you all the very best for the future.
I stand here as a former Member of Parliament, but the consequence of of that is my dedicated constituency office staff find themselves out of a job. They have been the most dedicated and brilliant team over the last four and half years, and have been the most amazing I could wish for. Without them I would not have been able to achieve anywhere near what we have done, helping countless people across our area with their issues, and delivering record investment into Maryport and Workington as part through our Town Deals and Future High Street Funds. Thank you to you all for your support, energy and good humour.
I thank everyone in my dedicated campaign team who have knocked on doors, posted leaflets, made phone calls and walked countless steps to help me over the last six weeks, in particular my agent Colin Smithson and my association chairman John Cook for their support.
But I must thank the most important people in my world, without who I would not have been able to do this job.
Dawn is the rock upon which our family is built, and Markus will need Karen more than he's ever needed her before over this next term. It is thanks to Dawn's love, and above all, patience, that I stand here today as a former elected Member of Parliament. I thank her and the kids from the bottom of my heart.
And while this chapter of my political story is at an end, there are far more chapters to be written. I will never give up fighting for our area, so rather than offering a ‘goodbye’ – I’ll end with a ‘see you later’.
Thank you."
