We did approach Cumbria’s Conservative general election candidates to see if one of them would join us.

They declined to take part in a Cumbria-wide debate, which they said would not apply scrutiny to "the issues affecting this incredibly diverse county" and offered to be available for debates in each constituency, which they said had "always been the norm".

A BBC spokesperson said: "We invited Cumbria Conservative candidates to take part and they declined.

"This debate is going out live on the website, on Radio Cumbria, on BBC iPlayer, on BBC Sounds, and is also being reflected on Look North this evening.

"The debate will focus on issues affecting all people living in Cumbria. During the course of the campaign we have reflected the issues that matter to our audiences in each constituency across Cumbria.”

However we do have a Conservative here to represent the party - and candidates from four others.

Here is a list of all the guests taking part in this morning's debate:

• Julia Aglionby, Liberal Democrat, Penrith and Solway
• Julie Minns, Labour, Carlisle
• Matthew Moody, Reform UK, Penrith and Solway
• Jill Perry, Green, Whitehaven and Workington
• Mike Starkie, Conservative, former elected mayor of Copeland

Welcome to the Your Voice, Your Vote BBC Cumbria election debate. You can listen on BBC Cumbria or BBC Sounds, or watch live here.