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Reposted by Luke Beardsworth

Blog Preston @blogpreston.co.uk · 20/09/2026

After May's local elections, Labour hung onto control of Preston City Council by a thread. With it has come a change in deputy leader (although she's a very familiar face) and a newly elected St Matthew councillor too.

blogpreston.co.uk

Labour to support city’s most vulnerable as it tries to keep control of Preston City Council in unexpected 2027 elections – Blog Preston

Can Preston Labour keep hold of Preston City Council now that Keir Starmer has been ousted?

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Remarkable headline and the flag in the fish itself is solid chefs kiss.

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Philip Cunnington @rilthy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Terrific story, this.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Exclusive: A document withheld from the public by Lancashire County Council said there was a risk of judicial review in plans to withdraw from refugee schemes. Some cllrs were told to sign NDAs to prevent them from making it public, despite LCC’s admission the contents were in the public interest.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

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The Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The wait for one normal day in Lancashire politics continues, writes @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social as the fallout from the government's pausing of local government reorganisation continues

lancashire.thelead.uk

Local government reorganisation in Lancashire in disarray after government pauses process

The wait for one normal day in Lancashire politics continues.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Could do to stop sharing Spotify with my partner.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Nigel Swales has become the first politician in the country to defect from Reform UK to Labour. He represents Skelmersdale East. Conversations regarding the defection had been taking place for at least several weeks and Cllr Swales had been in discussions with the regional office of Labour.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Just want one normal day. Never happens.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Breaking: Plans that would see Lancashire County Council and all other Lancashire unitary and district authorities scrapped have been paused. It comes as the govt is set to announce a review of the plans to ensure 'the process is robust and aligns with the new govt’s plans to rewire the state'.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

In 2021, the first Afghan refugees arrived in Lancashire. In 2026, with barely even an effort to explain the logic behind the decision, Lancashire County Council has said it doesn’t want to manage the schemes anymore. The first UK authority to do so. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-uk-...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Reform UK ‘abandons pretence of delivery for Lancashire’ in refugee funding decision

Every opposition party has decided to “call in” the decision - which removes funding, but not people, from Lancashire

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

lancashire.thelead.uk

Reform UK ‘abandons pretence of delivery for Lancashire’ in refugee funding decision

Every opposition party has decided to “call in” the decision - which removes funding, but not people, from Lancashire

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Quite the thing on a wet Thursday. “Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.” channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-...

channel4news.substack.com

Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations

Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Brief mention of this on the BBC this morning ahead of cabinet meeting at 9am. But zero mention of the fact that LCC’s own report says it will come at a cost. Just Richard Tice talking it up.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The argument for withdrawing from these schemes would be at least coherent if it saved money. It won’t - it’ll do the opposite. The more I’ve read about it in preparation for this piece, the more I think Reform might not actually do it. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Withdrawing Lancashire from refugee resettlement schemes would not save a single penny

The plans were announced earlier this year by Reform UK and will now be brought before cabinet

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

lancashire.thelead.uk

Withdrawing Lancashire from refugee resettlement schemes would not save a single penny

The plans were announced earlier this year by Reform UK and will now be brought before cabinet

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

My report on a grim incident last week. There are two things here, one is a woman who was clearly frightened and whose experience shouldn’t be minimised. The other is the steadfast refusal to accept that three ‘black men’ might not have committed a crime. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/coppull-re...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Police repeatedly stress no crime was committed in Coppull incident

What happens when the police say no crime has been committed and local councillors refuse to accept it?

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The Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Good evening, our latest editions of The Lead Local dropped this morning. Kicking off with Lancashire where we heard from one of the county's most senior business leaders as he delivered a withering assessment of the Red Rose county's Devolution journey, @edwalker86.bsky.social reports

lancashire.thelead.uk

Senior Lancashire business leader Mo Isap delivers withering assessment of devolution dithering

Lancashire missing out on an estimated £1.4million-a-day in funding due to resistance to the idea of a mayor

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Withering AND dithering in a headline? Must be worth reading. @edwalker86.bsky.social interviews Mo Isap on why the issue of a mayor in Lancashire is turning into one of political capital, rather than what actually benefits the county. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Senior Lancashire business leader Mo Isap delivers withering assessment of devolution dithering

Lancashire missing out on an estimated £1.4million-a-day in funding due to resistance to the idea of a mayor

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I know I’m alone in caring more about 53 Degrees than the Guild Hall (and it doesn’t need to be one or the other), but do have a look what’s happening and go to shows. That’s the only way Preston ends up with the bookings you want to see. www.blogpreston.co.uk/2026/08/53-d...

blogpreston.co.uk

53 Degrees plotting more big names – but success of venue requires backing from Preston public – Blog Preston

There will be more big name bookings in the coming months – but how often they are will depend entirely on if gig goers can prove that the demand is there.

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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 05/08/2026

Spot on ⬇️ "Reform UK remains almost entirely a party of grievance. Rather than offering a vision of a more prosperous, productive or communitarian Britain, it doubles down on punitive proposals." national.thelead.uk/p/nigel-farage-…

national.thelead.uk

It's the end of Reform as we know it

A bad few months for Nigel Farage's insurgent party has shown their true colours

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The Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

No sign that Lancashire will be rushing to embrace further devolution or a Mayor any time soon - @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social explores reaction to Andy Burnham's recent announcements

lancashire.thelead.uk

Lancashire 'stuck on hard shoulder' while other regions speed past in fast lane in devolution race

No sign that Lancashire will be rushing to embrace further devolution any time soon

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I’m not saying politicians need to stop relying on AI but…no that’s exactly what I’m saying. Impressively inaccurate map of LGR.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I’m not saying politicians need to stop relying on AI but…no that’s exactly what I’m saying. Impressively inaccurate map of LGR.

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Reposted by Luke Beardsworth

Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Burnham’s devolution plan reads as a good thing - though Lancashire is still at least two years from a mayor and missing out until then - but it’ll be at its most useful for people with proper local journalism, like @theleaduk.bsky.social as mentioned here. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Local media needs support if devolution push is to succeed, publishers say

Shift from Westminster risks weakening scrutiny as regional titles battle hostility, big tech and ‘news deserts’

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

theguardian.com

Local media needs support if devolution push is to succeed, publishers say

Shift from Westminster risks weakening scrutiny as regional titles battle hostility, big tech and ‘news deserts’

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

It is fascinating seeing Reform UK respond as they have to the Zack Polanski issue. Yes - he needs to do much, much better. But it’s not like Reform UK has set firm precedent. This was an “honest mistake”, in their words. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Reform UK deputy leader reshared social media post calling for Labour MP to be shot

We reveal how the deputy leader of Lancashire County Council is to face no action for the shocking post he shared on Facebook

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

lancashire.thelead.uk

Reform UK deputy leader reshared social media post calling for Labour MP to be shot

We reveal how the deputy leader of Lancashire County Council is to face no action for the shocking post he shared on Facebook

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

What a thoroughly normal day in Lancashire politics.

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Leigh Jones @leighsus.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

The first edition of The Teesside Lead by my new colleague, Sarah Sinclair, is out now. After last week's sewage spill in Teesside, there are still huge gaps in data about the true picture of pollution in our rivers and seas.

teesside.thelead.uk

Campaigners say 'major holes in data' mean Teessiders aren't getting the full picture on sewage pollution

The first in a series of articles focusing on the River Tees and the environmental situation

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

AI posters do look garbage but, ffs, there are a countless types of business that deserve it in the neck before you get down to your local pub making 12p on a pint.

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Reposted by Luke Beardsworth

Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

On the same day that Farage made his decision to resign, and call the Binface by-election, Reform UK at Lancashire County Council lost its first councillor to defection. It had been planned, but it being announced yesterday is perfect framing. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-uk-...

lancashire.thelead.uk

Councillor defects away from Reform UK slamming group as 'party of protest'

Move is understood to have come due to a mixture of frustration at the national leadership and a failure locally to prioritise West Lancashire

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

lancashire.thelead.uk

Councillor defects away from Reform UK slamming group as 'party of protest'

Move is understood to have come due to a mixture of frustration at the national leadership and a failure locally to prioritise West Lancashire

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I am very pleased for Canada and very pleased I can go to bed.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Exclusive reporting in the bag at Blog Preston. Not reported elsewhere and a lot of graft to get the information together. If you’re a regular reader, think about taking a paid subscription (and turning those adverts off). www.blogpreston.co.uk/2026/06/pres...

blogpreston.co.uk

Preston North End plotting three-day weekend of live music at Deepdale – Blog Preston

They would be the first full-scale gigs the stadium has hosted since it was redeveloped into an all seater stadium.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Delighted to be back into Stoke-on-Trent, thanks to excellent work done by The Knot and James so far. They've done mega work establishing a title that does things a little differently. We'll be adding The Lead's in-depth journalism on top of that. pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/med...

pressgazette.co.uk

Local newsletter network The Lead buys Stoke-on-Trent title

The Knot will expand remit further outside original "good news" lens.

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Staying up late with Rachel and Tom this evening covering the Chorley Council local election results. Pray for 3am us. Reform will almost certainly make gains but Labour’s majority is extremely strong here. www.blogpreston.co.uk/2026/05/live...

blogpreston.co.uk

Live: Chorley Council local elections 2026 updates and results – Blog Preston

Labour currently hold power at Chorley Town Hall – we’ll bring you all the updates as the results come in overnight

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Luke Beardsworth @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Scenes from a protest at the Jameson Road landfill in Fleetwood this morning, where residents continue to be understandably enraged by the smells and gases affecting every day life.

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Blog Preston @blogpreston.co.uk · 19/03/2026

It's the Proud Preston Awards tonight! We're looking forward to celebrating people and organisations doing fantastic things across the city. We'll have live updates this evening from the ceremony - good luck everyone

blogpreston.co.uk

Live: First ever Proud Preston Awards as city stars to be recognised – Blog Preston

Updates as all the winners are announced in the ceremony at the Barton Manor Hotel

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