General Election: Meet the candidates standing in Barrow and Furness

Find out which parliamentary candidate for Barrow and Furness got into China at 21 year’s old with a 50 year old woman’s passport, who is trained in hypnosis and who can handle medieval swords.

We asked candidates a range of questions from what prompted them to get involved in politics to what readers might find the most surprising thing about them.

Here is what the candidates had to say….

What’s your hobby?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I am very interested in history, especially medieval history. I enjoy visiting historic sites and museums. I enjoy reading history books and have even written some. I am also very interested in the natural environment and wildlife and enjoy visiting and walking in the countryside.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): I’m not an obsessive

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): I don’t feel like I’ve had a lot of time for hobbies in the last year, with the demands of being a parliamentary candidate. When I have got time, I like to get out with my husband on our motorbike. I can’t put a good book down once I start it, so take them on holiday so I don’t have to. I love to scuba dive but don’t often get the chance.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): I used to have lots of hobbies but that time has been eaten by my children! If I have the time, reading, walking and occasionally running.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Used to play guitar a bit. Listening to music old and new is generally how I relax nowadays.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Singing in Furness Bach Choir.

Family status

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I am a widower with three children and four grandchildren.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): Divorced & re-married (grown sproglets)

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Married to Graham and we have two children who we brought up here in the constituency. 

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): Married (nearly 15 years) with three children, aged 8, 4 & 2.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Married. Brought up in Hindpool, Barrow and still live in Furness.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Single

Education

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I attended several state schools. I went to St Catherine’s College, Oxford University and graduated with a first-class honours degree in Geography. I qualified as a public sector accountant.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): Haberdashers Aske’s School, Elstree, Herts.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Ulverston Victoria High School

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): Went to Warwick Uni and studied English Literature.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Communications & Economics graduate, plus a more recent Level 2 in Environmental Sustainability. Went to Furness College and Barrow schools.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): I’ve a degree in Politics and Sociology, postgrad teaching certificate in English and trained in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.

What prompted you to get into politics?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I think we have a failing political culture where politicians often do not listen and fail to deliver. The result is that many basic services including health, social care and housing are in crisis while the economy stagnates. I saw this especially clearly when I was a carer. I got involved in politics because I hope to make a difference and to change things for the better.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): I got fed up complaining; felt the need to put head above parapet.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): I’ve always been active politically, driven to fight against injustice, but I was initially asked to stand and do more by locals who appreciated my work in the community over the years.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): Three things really. 25 years ago almost by chance I spent a summer interning for an MP and was amazed at what a difference a backbench MP can make in people’s lives – I helped at surgeries and was inspired. That gave me the interest. And then as I worked in business over the following 20 years, I realised that while I could change things in my business, really it was changing things in the political world that would make a bigger difference on exactly the same issues. And finally, it was the ability to stand up for Furness – for too long communities in the north have been taken for granted and always expected to vote one way, with their MPs disappearing to Westminster in search of a job and never returning. I wanted to be an MP to improve the community and fight for it, not to chase career prospects or climb the greasy pole. I hope people have seen that in me.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Anger, despair and incredulity at the sharp societal decline from unchecked Tory misrule, especially the damage caused in the last five years: Floundering economy, low morale, food banks even for those in “good jobs”, poor mental health, greedy shareholders wrecking everyday utilities, Brexit, mismanagement of COVID, Partygate, big politics donors with agendas, greenwashing and the perpetual shrugging of shoulders about real climate action…

It’s one thing moaning about a dire situation; I’m standing simply to try to do *something* about it.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Women’s and children’s rights are being ignored. There is no such thing as non-binary. We are all one sex or the other, but it’s fashionable to pretend we can opt out of sex. Women are no longer are safe in changing rooms, toilets, hospital wards, care homes, in prisons. I have to speak up about this damage.

Have you ever been a member of another party?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): When I was a student, I joined the Labour Party but after a while I became disillusioned.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): No, not until Reform arrived on the scene.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): No

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): No, but I have voted for other parties in the past.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): No, though I used to support and vote Labour many many years ago when it was more socialist in its outlook.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): No, but I campaigned for women’s rights for several years – as a member of ‘Women in Media’.

What’s one thing you have done that may surprise readers?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I used to be one of the organisers of a medieval re-enactment society and organised battle re-enactments and living history demonstrations at places including Muncaster Castle. I learned how to shoot a bow and to handle medieval swords and polearms; and got myself a suit of armour. My role was usually that of the captain but on one occasion I played the role of King Henry VI paying a royal visit to Skipton Castle. It was all very enjoyable, and I made a lot of friends from all walks of life.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): I was an enthusiastic Barrow AFC supporter in the early 60s

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): I got a tattoo when I was 30

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): When I was about 21, I entered China on a 50 year old woman’s passport!

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): People who know me would probably say standing as a parliamentary candidate! The usual publicity-seeking rhetoric and empty posturing of politics is absolutely not my style.  I’d rather get on with doing something practical in the background that makes a tangible difference to people’s lives, but if this opportunity helps raise green awareness and engagement even a little, I’m happy.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): I’ve lived and worked in many countries in the world (Japan 9 years, Jamaica, 2 years etc.) but most surprising might be that I travelled as a single woman around Afghanistan and Iran when women were free to wear what they liked – and did!

Last job:

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats): I worked for seventeen years in local government, most recently as Finance Director and then Strategic Director at Copeland Council. In 1998 I founded a management consultancy business that mainly helps local councils and housing associations to improve financial administration and get better value for money. I am still working as a management consultant.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): Africa Bureau, Upstream Newspaper (I do consulting these days)

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Business owner and worked in NatWest in Millom, Ulverston and Barrow for 11 years.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): MP for Barrow & Furness for 4 1/2 years, and then before that worked in fraud prevention for a decade, leaving as the Director of Strategy.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Being a full-time family carer. That’s tougher than any of the roles I’d held anywhere before, even in the NHS. Being on the other side of a depleted health and social care system was a shock during COVID, but even afterwards when things were supposedly “getting back to normal”. It never did, of course.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): I am a writer and trainer. My latest book was ‘Comply with Me: Trump’s Hypnosis Toolkit Exposed’.

Have you stood as MP before?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  No

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): No, never

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): No

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): Yes, in Barrow & Furness in 2015, 2017 and 2019 (I wore them down in the end!).

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Nope! The only reason I’ve stood this time is that we need honest, oppositional voices to the denial, repression and inaction on social and environmental issues which negatively impact 99% of people every day. And if an ordinary person like me can stand against all this, you can too.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Never felt I had to until now.

What’s your ideal night out?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  At the weekends I often go to a local pub for a couple of pints and a chat. I also enjoy evenings with my family.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): Live music, animated conversation with friends while drinking real ale.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Drinks and a laugh with friends.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): With friends, with good food and a glass or two of wine.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): It used to be being right at the front barrier of a huge city gig with a group of music mates, or to the other extreme in a tiny venue with a brilliant new band. These days, staying in is the new going out.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Listening to live music. Jess Dandy from Barrow is one of the greatest singers in the world today. Hearing her sing in the Coro last month was amazing.

Who is your political hero?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  Robin Hood, because he stood up for ordinary people who were being oppressed by the wealthy and by the state.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): I don’t hero worship, hence no need for heroes.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Ulverston born suffragette Selina Martin.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): I’m not sure I have one. There’s plenty I like about some politicians (from all parties), but all too often we idolise politicians for one thing, while the reality is that the world is complex, and so are people. I do look fondly on those politicians of the past who were willing to debate ideas and be straight with people about what they wanted, rather than saying as little as possible as not to offend.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Can’t say I have one: There’s too many social and environmental heroes to mention, plus I admire the work of Led by Donkeys along with critical progressive journalism such as Byline Times.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Elizabeth Fry. She used to be on bank notes but is now forgotten. In the 1800s, she campaigned for women to be housed separately from men in women-only prisons – and won.

Your proudest achievement?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  Persuading my wife to marry me and bringing up our children.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): My kids (I take full credit)

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Being elected to represent my home town as Mayor.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): It sounds sappy, but my marriage and my children. I’m so lucky to have them. And if you want a political answer – grinding away for 3 years to get the idea behind Team Barrow agreed, making it a reality, and then securing £220million for this community as a result.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Being presented an award by Factory Records’ Tony Wilson.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Standing up for women and families in the place that’s been my home for 20 years – Barrow and Furness. I’m daring to be honest and living my proudest achievement now.

Your biggest fear?

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  That we may be repeating the mistakes of the 1930s.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): My own shadow… always walk towards the Sun & never look back.

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): My biggest fear is five more years of the Conservatives. The Tories have left the country worse off than when they started. Living standards are down. Crime goes unpunished. Ambulances never come. Schools crumble over our children’s heads. Sewage floods our waters. Mortgages and food prices are through the roof. We cannot have five more years of this.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): I have an absolutely irrational fear of octopuses – but yet am mildly obsessed with them.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): That the world will literally continue to burn because the rich and powerful won’t allow what needs to change, leaving the rest of us expendable.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Is fear itself and that’s an imposter.

Describe yourself in three words

Adrian Waite (Liberal Democrats):  Inquisitive. Optimistic. Sociable.

Barry Morgan (Reform UK): Piscean, libertarian, imperialist

Michelle Scrogham (Labour Party): Approachable, competitive, tenacious.

Simon Fell (Conservative Party): Determined. Able. Calm.

Lorraine Wrennall (Green Party): Candid, authentic, Barrovian.

Lisa Morgan (Party of Women): Woman, adult, female

The general election will take place on July 4.