West Cumbria Coal Mine Conservative MPs and local leaders, from constituencies across Britain, have spoken out against Labours attempts to block the approval of a new coking coal mine in West Cumbria. Northern Research Group has also backed the new coal mine in Whitehaven, accusing Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and Shadow Busines Secretary Ed Milliband of ‘Turning their Backs on Northern Communities’. The letter has been signed by 47 Parliamentarians, alongside local leaders Councillor Mike Johnson, Deputy Leader Allerdale Borough Council, Mayor Mike Starkie, Elected Mayor, Copeland Borough Council and Ben Houchen, Elected Mayor, Tees Valley and has been sent to Stewart Young the Labour leader of Cumbria County Council - the local authority that has already approved planning for the West Cumbria Mine three times.