The Reform UK leader Richard Tice has been in Cumbria this week to give a keynote speech.
Mr Tice was at Penrith’s North Lakes Hotel and Spa to meet with supporters – and around 80 people attended.
He declined to confirm whether former Ukip leader Nigel Farage would be among the 600-plus candidates who be standing in the General Election for the party.
Ahead of his speech, Mr Tice said he was pleased to visit the region, which knew well over previous years, and added: “Nigel is working out how he wants to help and contribute in the campaign. My view is the more help the better.
“He’s probably, along with Boris Johnson, the most well-known politician and, as I say, it is a massive job to try and campaign everywhere so hopefully he will be able to help as much as possible. Whether he stands in a seat that is for him to decide nearer the election.”
He added: “We’ve got a lot to say, we’ve got a lot to talk about, because the country is in a terrible state, the country is broken, and we have got to work out how to fix it. That is what we are campaigning for.”
Matthew Moody, Reform UK’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Penrith and Solway constituency, said they had put a lot of work in to get the leader to Penrith and added: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have Richard here.
“We’ve been trying to get hold of him for some time and his office have come through for us and we are very excited to have him here.”
He said that he was quite confident at the prospect of a General Election.
Reform UK is a political party which, according to the event press release, claims to be dedicated to mobilising change, promoting individual liberties, and restoring national sovereignty.