Workington candidates reveal their political heroes, the naughtiest thing they did and their ideal night out

Here is what they told us:

Sue Hayman (Labour)

Family: Married to Ross. My children are now in their late 20s, and I have two grandchildren.

Education: Comprehensive school followed by an English degree

Last/Current job: MP for Workington, previously community relations consultant

What got you into politics? After Labour lost in 1992 I joined the party to fight against the cruelty inflicted on communities by the Thatcher years.

Political experience: Four years as MP for Workington, two as a county councillor.

Have you been in another party? No

Have you stood as MP before? 2015 and 2017 in Workington, 2010 in the Midlands and 2005 in South Wales.

Who is your political hero? Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Denmark’s first woman PM. She led a social democrat party and government that tackled austerity while investing in education and properly tackling climate change.

Hobbies: Fellwalking, singing and reading.

Ideal night out: A nice meal and a glass of wine at the local with my family.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I’m not really a naughty person!

Proudest achievement: Getting the Commons to become the first national parliament to declare a climate and environment emergency.

Describe yourself in three words: Hard-working, dedicated, passionate.

Mark Jenkinson (Conservative)

Family: Married to Dawn since 2013. Four children aged between 4 and 15

Education: ONC Engineering through a British Steel apprenticeship

Last/Current job: Nuclear technical author

What got you into politics? My work with Workington Hall led me to realise that Workington had long been at the forefront on many things, and let down only more recently by poor elected representatives.

Political experience: Four years as parish and borough councillor

Have you ever been a member of another party? Conservatives 2009-13, UKIP 2013-16. I left to fight for and win the referendum, before returning to the Conservatives to implement the decision.

Have you stood as MP before? Workington 2015, I’ve only ever wanted to represent my home constituency.

Your political hero? John Christian Curwen

Hobby: I don’t get a lot of time now for anything other than paid work, council work and volunteering.

Ideal night out: Edinburgh for the theatre followed by live music in the Whiski Bar.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I once ran through a field of wheat?

Proudest achievement: Becoming deputy leader of Allerdale Borough Council to make a positive change in the area.

Describe yourself in three words: Passionate Cumbrian lad.

Neil Hughes (Lib Dem)

Family: Married, though currently separated

Education: BA degree (Arts)

Last/current job: At Oxfam in Penrith

What prompted you to get into politics? Seeing the appalling gap between the possibilities available to rich and poor in this country.

Previous political experience:

County councillor since 2013 and current member of national council of the Social Liberal forum.

Have you ever been a member of another party? No

Have you stood as MP before?

Carlisle 2010, Penrith and the Border 2015 and 2017.

Who is your political hero?

Paddy Ashdown, who revived the Lib Dems at a very low point in the 1990s.

Hobby: Literature, music and friends.

Ideal night out: A good musical or theatre production.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I’m near my word limit!

Proudest achievement: My election to Cumbria County Council.

Describe yourself in three words: Patient, questioning, generous.

David Walker (Brexit Party)

Family: Happily married to my soulmate Oksana for 10 years and father of 11 children.

Education: Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Last job: Retired family dental practitioner and practice owner.

What prompted you to get into politics? Watching a depressed area become slowly abandoned by the Labour party who were constantly re-elected, feeling frustrated and wanting to do something about it.

Previous political experience: Stood for council and borough elections since 2014 most years, branch chairman, referendum agent 2016, parliamentary candidate.

Have you ever been a member of another party? Conservative 2014, UKIP 2015-17.

Have you stood as MP before? No.

Who is your political hero? The Greeks for inventing democracy

Hobby: Family history

Ideal night out: A romantic meal for two with my wife or a family meal or event.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? Unfurling the Union Jack in the Brussels Parliament building when it said don’t touch and singing Rule Britannia.

Proudest achievement: Becoming a father.

Describe yourself in three words: Loyal, Hard-working and dependable.

Nicky Cockburn (Independent)

Family: Married to Russ for 39 years. Mother of two

Education: BSc Safety and Health

Last/Current Job: Company director and EastEnders script advisor. Previously a safety consultant, a Holby City researchers’ consultant, Red Cross trainer, volunteer First Responder, volunteer “bad person” for police recruit training, plant potter and RYA windsurfing instructor.

What got you into politics? In addition to being asked to stand as a councillor, I wanted to get involved with planning issues.

Political experience: An Independent councillor for over eight years.

Have you been a member of another party? 2011 for a few weeks because I was asked to stand by the Conservatives, I joined until I went to my first meeting. I then resigned and stood as an independent councillor.

Political hero? Barack Obama

Hobby: Fusing glass.

Ideal night out: Meal with family or night at the Punchbowl

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I went windsurfing on my wedding day in my wedding dress pursued by the groom in a canoe.

Proudest achievement: Being awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal

Describe yourself in three words: Larger than Life.

Jill Perry (Green Party)

Family: Married to John for 41 years, two grown-up children

Last/Current job: Not answered

What got you into politics? I was tired of having to hold my nose and vote for the least unacceptable candidate, then in the Blair years I couldn’t even face doing that, so I joined the party that stands for what I believe in.

Political experience: I was a parish councillor for six years and on the Lake District National Park Authority

Have you ever been a member of another party? Never

Have you stood as MP before? Only in Copeland and Workington

Who is your political hero? Petra Kelly was my first inspiration and Caroline Lucas is my current role model – a hard one to live up to.

Hobby: I do a lot of needlework

Ideal night out: A lovely meal with family or friends.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? I was never naughty, I was always boringly good (or I’ve got a bad memory).

Proudest achievement: Being part of the campaign to stop the deep burial of nuclear waste in West Cumbria (twice!)

Describe yourself in three words: Small, determined, energetic

Roy Ivinson (Independent)

Family: Single with no children

Education: Educated at the university of life in West Cumbria

Current job: I’m a farmer

What got you into politics? I’m fascinated by politics, history and the art of government

Political experience: I study politics as a hobby, I watch politics programmes

Have you ever been a member of another party? No

Have you stood as MP before? In Workington in 2015, at the Copeland by-election in 2017 and Workington at the 2017 general election.

Who is your political hero? Henry VIII because he fought to keep his country out of the control of the Pope. Also Queen Boudica for the same reason, she fought for the independence of her country.

Hobby: Politics

Ideal night out: I’m passed the stage where I go out at night

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done? No answer

Proudest achievement: Standing for elections against climate change and global warming when it wasn’t popular. I knew I was right.

Describe yourself in three words: West Cumbrian Politician