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Tom Besford

@tombesford.bsky.social
448 followers 522 following 29 posts

Dad | Rochdale Labour & Co-op Cllr in Littleborough | MP Chief of Staff | music and cultural strategist | Chair Rochdale Co-op Party | Vice Chair Rochdale CLP | Greater Manchester Music Commission | serial Trustee

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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Whether as part of the GM Music Commission, as a ward Councillor in Littleborough or through the MP’s Office I’ve seen first hand how Andy Burnham fights for Greater Manchester. I really hope he’s able to do the same for the whole country. Best of luck Andy!
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Really surreal to be at the first Folk Album of the Year Gala in Rochdale Town Hall this evening. So great to catch up with friends and colleagues in the finest civic building in our country. @soundrootsuk @rochdale.creates @rochdaletownhall @folkonfoot.com
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Best work day ever. Rochdale’s Town of Culture Beer is on tap in the Stranger’s Bar in Parliament. Brilliant to meet with some of the brewers Anthony, Domenico and Sean who were down for the event.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
It’s been an eye opening but important experience working with Rise on this vital piece of work. If you are interested in widening access, participation and representation in the cultural sectors, please read the full Class Ceiling report here: www.riseassociates.co.uk/downloads/Cl...
theguardian.com
Report sets out ‘blueprint for change’ to increase working-class representation in the arts
Inquiry finds class should become protected characteristic and calls for rise in number of apprenticeships
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
What is happening in Minneapolis is terrifying and heartbreaking. A second murder by Trump’s private armed secret police. The historic parallels are hideous and unmistakable.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Taking Reform to task at Rochdale Borough Council last night.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
@mrjamesob.bsky.social some of the finest live commentary I’ve ever witnessed. ‘Effectively a gold carriage journey across the King’s garden.’
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
This weekend at the Co-op Congress in #Rochdale I had many conversations about the opportunity for the @coopparty.party.coop to be the progressive change making driving force of this government. Maybe championing cooperative values of inclusion and equity or promoting community ownership and more.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
I don’t think I’ll ever really understand why we did this to ourselves. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Daniel Hannan celebrates his chronicle of Brexit idiocy foretold | John Crace
Back in 2016, Dan prophesied about what the post-EU sunlit uplands would be like on this very day – no spoiler alert needed
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Really great to show @rochdalecouncil.bsky.social new Chief Exec around the ward with fellow Councillors and @paulwaughmp.bsky.social
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
This is absolutely fantastic news! Something I and many others have been campaigning and working on for years. Thanks @andyburnham.bsky.social and the Greater Manchester Music Commission.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Today Keir Starmer showed what a true statesman looks like. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Nothing beats a doorknock round on a sunny day. Genuinely lovely to speak to residents and help where we can. #labourdoorstep #littleborough
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 01/03/2025
Keir Starmer embraces President Zelensky as he arrives at Downing St.
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Well done BBC for being so unequivocal on calling out Trump’s outright lies as he capitulates to Putin. Europe needs to stand together in solidarity with Ukraine.
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Cold weather payments activated for Rochdale residents ❄️ Due to the cold weather, automatic payments have been issued to elligible residents across Rochdale. Find out more here: paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/13/c...
paulwaugh.co.uk
Cold Weather Payments Activated for Rochdale Residents - Paul Waugh
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has announced that eligible residents across the constituency will automatically receive Cold Weather Payments following a recent cold spell. Covering the period from 5th to 11t...
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Today I spoke in Parliament about the hard work being done in Rochdale to protect women and girls from domestic violence and from the scourge of grooming gangs. See the full speech here: paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/09/g...
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 07/01/2025
This is not what he said and they know it. Something very disturbing has happened to much of the British press and a fair amount of conservative politics. The extremist Musk tail wagging the formerly mainstream dog.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 08/01/2025
The UK music industry is reporting record revenues. The reality is much gloomier | Eamonn Forde
theguardian.com
The UK music industry is reporting record revenues. The reality is much gloomier | Eamonn Forde
We’re apparently spending more on music than any time since the CD era – but the calculation methods are archaic, and don’t reflect the low incomes for many artists • News: UK music sales hit record high as Taylor Swift tops album sellers If the record…
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
This is the colleague that the likes of Cleverly, Badenoch & Jenrick are refusing to defend...
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Stop politicising sexual violence against children and stop spreading misinformation. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Town's name 'exploited by people playing political game'
Paul Waugh spoke in the House of Commons as the Home Secretary defended her decision not to launch a national inquiry into groomin gangs
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
This is absolutely fantastic news. Nick and the team of volunteers have been working tirelessly to restore this much loved community space for years. This investment will secure the future of Hare Hill House.
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
🎄Well this is a nice early Christmas present. Rochdale has been awarded £20 million after campaigning by myself + the council for cash to regenerate our town. Shows what a huge difference a Labour MP working with a Labour Govt and a Labour Council can make facebook.com/share/p/rHwQSC…
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Save College Bank @save7sis.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
It was dark during the Council Mtg But in daytime there's a great view of the Seven Sisters thru' the gorgeous windows So the Seven Sisters were standing sentinel outside as the Motion in favour of Saving them was passed 🥲 @tombesford.bsky.social @paulwaughmp.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social
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Save College Bank @save7sis.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
'Stand Up for Social Housing' c500 #Homes kept empty on College Bank We support the Council Motion for Refurbishment NOT demolition Support us in Supporting this Motion Rochdale Town Hall Weds 18 Dec 6pm @paulwaughmp.bsky.social @tombesford.bsky.social @triciaayr.bsky.social
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Save College Bank @save7sis.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
College Bank has been suffering neglect & lack of maintenance We asked for Quick Wins to start putting this right See our before & after photos of a canopy repair @tombesford.bsky.social @paulwaughmp.bsky.social
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Our brilliant posties do a fabulous job all year round, but we’re especially grateful in the run up to Christmas. Many thanks to Lesley, Michaela, Kirsty and all the team at Royal Mail in Rochdale.
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
It was lovely to help judge the annual Christmas Window Decoration Competition in Littleborough village. Many congratulations to Janet’s Hair Salon and the Highly Commended runners up: Knickerish-Allsorts, Busy Beans Coffee and The Secret.
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Musicians' Union (MU) @wearethemu.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Amplify is almost here! Here's a sneak peek of some of what's inside 👀 Look out for your copy arriving this week
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
The UK Govt today pledged an extra £13m to UNRWA to provide vital services for Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories. Keir Starmer + UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages and much more humanitarian aid.
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Paul Waugh MP @paulwaughmp.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Several news organisations rightly picked up on this: Tory peers have been trying to filibuster the Football Governance Bill in the Lords. This is a manifesto commitment - and has cross-party backing. So they should heed Lisa Nandy's warning
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Connor Stanisauskis @connorstanisauskis.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I’ve just cast my vote and placed @taylort010808.bsky.social as my first choice, for the cooperative party youth network committee election 🟣🐝 VOTE TAYLOR4CO-OP
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Kevin Brady @kevinbrady.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
As an ex-Chair of a planning committee I hugely welcome the Gov's plans to speed up the planning system. Let me explain why... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Planning reforms will end development chaos, says Angela Rayner
Officials will be able to rubberstamp development plans without local authority permission under the changes.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
This is interesting. www.thetimes.com/uk/media/art...
thetimes.com
How the BBC let ‘superstar’ Mishal Husain slip from its grasp
The Today presenter’s departure for Bloomberg next week poses fittingly awkward questions for bosses who took her for granted
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Ugh, does this scupper my plans to spend the day delivering Christmas cards and a leaflet to the ward…? 🌧️⚡️
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 30/11/2024
NEW: Trump names Jared Kushner’s father Charles Kushner, as the next US ambassador to France. Jared is of course Trump’s son-in-law. Trump already pardoned Charles in the dying days of his first presidency for charges including illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering.
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andyburnham.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
From Thursday, GM residents can apply to a credit union to buy an annual bus pass via weekly/monthly payments. It means unlimited bus travel for: 🐝 £2.20 a day 🐝 £15.40 a week 🐝 £66.70 a month All people should be able to get the discount that comes with being able to afford to pay up front. 👍🏻
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Come and work with us! www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
w4mpjobs.org
w4mp | The site for everyone working for an MP
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Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
The mighty Four Corner Sword tearing it up in Rochdale town centre last night! #rappersword
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Being able to honk a tune out of a musical instrument is a wonderful thing. I’m in a city I don’t know, find a session, play a tune, brand new friends. Thank you #folk.
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Save College Bank @save7sis.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Great meeting with Paul Waugh MP to talk about our Campaign to #SavetheSevenSisters @tombesford.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social @triciaayr.bsky.social
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Matthew Wright @matthew-wright.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Man who told The Times in 2021 that he’d only bought his £4.25m farm to avoid paying inheritance tax to lead protest against inheritance tax 😂🤣😂 www.thesun.co.uk/news/3179317...
thesun.co.uk
Clarkson defies docs to lead 20,000 farmers protesting against 'tractor tax'
JEREMY Clarkson will defy health fears to join up to 20,000 farmers protesting in Westminster over the hated “tractor tax”. The Clarkson’s Farm star, 64 — recovering after a life-saving heart op — …
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
@squeezyjohn.bsky.social had a session at the weekend with a load of mates learning your awesome tune. It’ll be out with some rapper teams later this year! Also we open all gatherings with a rendition of FTT. A staple session tune in the Calder Valley. 🎵
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
So lucky to have this amazing building on our doorstep, Rochdale Town Hall. No matter how many times I visit, it’s still stunningly magnificent and beautiful.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Councillor surgery followed be MP surgery and then a doorknock with Cllrs and activists. Littleborough Labour Team working hard! #labourdoorstep
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Co-operative Party @coopparty.party.coop · 15/11/2024
📢 Last night, the Chancellor used her maiden Mansion House speech to announce new measures to support co-operative and mutual growth. These are crucial first steps to achieving our joint ambition to double the size of the co-operative sector.
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Tom Besford @tombesford.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
First post here, hoping it might end up being like the good old days in that other place. Recommendations for people to follow in music (especially folk!), cultural strategy, and progressive local, regional and national politics please.
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