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@theleaduk.bsky.social
The Lead is a lean, mean mag on politics, culture and everything in between.
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@theleaduk.bsky.social
· Oct 21
The Lead is campaigning to end child poverty. We cannot allow our most vulnerable members of society to be treated with such disdain – the government must take decisive action, now.
Over the coming months you can expect more nuanced journalism that gets to the heart of the crisis.
Over the coming months you can expect more nuanced journalism that gets to the heart of the crisis.
The basic rate of benefit support falls woefully short – Iain Porter, senior policy advisor at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, explains what needs to happen now
national.thelead.uk/p/universal-...
national.thelead.uk/p/universal-...
This is how we fix Universal Credit
The basic rate of benefit support falls woefully short – Iain Porter, senior policy advisor at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, explains what needs to happen now.
national.thelead.uk
February 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
The basic rate of benefit support falls woefully short – Iain Porter, senior policy advisor at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, explains what needs to happen now
national.thelead.uk/p/universal-...
national.thelead.uk/p/universal-...
Channel 4 revealed this week that the Crewkerne Gazette, a platform that creates distinctly right-coded “satirical” AI videos - shared by the likes of Nigel Farage - while claiming to be apolitical, is the work of none other than a convicted neo-Nazi
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
Reform Watch: Neo-Nazi AI slop, defunding Bangor and more on Matt Goodwin
Each week we cast our eyes over what Reform have been up to – from bizarre proclamations to the detail of how their attempts to run councils are going.
national.thelead.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Channel 4 revealed this week that the Crewkerne Gazette, a platform that creates distinctly right-coded “satirical” AI videos - shared by the likes of Nigel Farage - while claiming to be apolitical, is the work of none other than a convicted neo-Nazi
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
Reposted by The Lead
Six years ago, residents on a street in the south Wales valleys had their houses flooded from floor to ceiling. They've been petrified every time it rains.
One resident told me about what happened, and how he feels about the solution.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/finally-fr...
One resident told me about what happened, and how he feels about the solution.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/finally-fr...
Finally free from the flooding on Clydach Terrace that led to residents having PTSD
Back in 2020, water rose to the ceilings on Clydach Terrace. Today they speak of relief after an unprecedented intervention
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 12, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Six years ago, residents on a street in the south Wales valleys had their houses flooded from floor to ceiling. They've been petrified every time it rains.
One resident told me about what happened, and how he feels about the solution.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/finally-fr...
One resident told me about what happened, and how he feels about the solution.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/finally-fr...
The political obsession with growth as the sole measure of progress is short-sighted. Without distribution, growth can leave millions behind.
@zoegrunewald.bsky.social’s attended the launch of the @resolutionfoundation.org Unsung Britain report.
national.thelead.uk/p/unsung-bri...
@zoegrunewald.bsky.social’s attended the launch of the @resolutionfoundation.org Unsung Britain report.
national.thelead.uk/p/unsung-bri...
Unsung Britain: a wake up call over sliding living standards buried under Westminster drama
Despite the talk of wages stagnating, living standards falling, it was telling that as usual the media just wanted to know if Andy Burnham supported Keir Starmer.
national.thelead.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:14 PM
The political obsession with growth as the sole measure of progress is short-sighted. Without distribution, growth can leave millions behind.
@zoegrunewald.bsky.social’s attended the launch of the @resolutionfoundation.org Unsung Britain report.
national.thelead.uk/p/unsung-bri...
@zoegrunewald.bsky.social’s attended the launch of the @resolutionfoundation.org Unsung Britain report.
national.thelead.uk/p/unsung-bri...
Without explicit focus on race and inequality, policies to address child poverty risk reproducing the very gaps they aim to close, writes @nmozz.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
Child poverty is racialised – we won't end the crisis until this is acknowledged
At the National Energy Action conference, fuel poverty’s human cost was clear. Those shaping policy must confront who is being hit hardest.
national.thelead.uk
February 12, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Without explicit focus on race and inequality, policies to address child poverty risk reproducing the very gaps they aim to close, writes @nmozz.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
Crisis has a way of focusing minds - and this week has certainly been a crisis for the Parliamentary Labour Party. This time, MPs chose responsibility.
✍️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/keir-starm...
✍️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/keir-starm...
Keir Starmer cannot pretend this is a passing storm
To have any hope of remaining in Number 10, the prime minister must reset his relationship with his own MPs
national.thelead.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Crisis has a way of focusing minds - and this week has certainly been a crisis for the Parliamentary Labour Party. This time, MPs chose responsibility.
✍️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/keir-starm...
✍️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/keir-starm...
While most of the reporting on the latest tranche of Epstein files has focused on Peter Mandelson and the disgraced former Prince Andrew, they are not the full picture. They also reveal a web of connections involving figures on the global hard right.
national.thelead.uk/p/jeffrey-ep...
national.thelead.uk/p/jeffrey-ep...
The Lead Untangles: Who are the far-right figures mentioned in the Epstein files?
From Nick Candy to Elon Musk, we dig into who lurks within the Epstein files, and why they feature
national.thelead.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:49 AM
While most of the reporting on the latest tranche of Epstein files has focused on Peter Mandelson and the disgraced former Prince Andrew, they are not the full picture. They also reveal a web of connections involving figures on the global hard right.
national.thelead.uk/p/jeffrey-ep...
national.thelead.uk/p/jeffrey-ep...
Good morning - here's our latest editions of The Lead's local titles which dropped into thousands of inboxes over the weekend bringing original local journalism direct. Make sure you're signed up to get them first.
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Good morning - here's our latest editions of The Lead's local titles which dropped into thousands of inboxes over the weekend bringing original local journalism direct. Make sure you're signed up to get them first.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing the most serious crisis of his premiership. Labour MPs are furious, and publicly unsure whether their leader can carry on. And yet there is a reason that the knives remain sheathed.
@zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/sir-keir-s...
@zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/sir-keir-s...
Why Starmer might not be ready to go just yet
Open rebellion means the Prime Minister's position is precarious. But there's a reason the knives haven't been drawn
national.thelead.uk
February 5, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Sir Keir Starmer is facing the most serious crisis of his premiership. Labour MPs are furious, and publicly unsure whether their leader can carry on. And yet there is a reason that the knives remain sheathed.
@zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/sir-keir-s...
@zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/sir-keir-s...
In this week's Reform Watch: Matt Goodwin endorsed by Tommy Robinson, cynicism in Preston and Dogle failures
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
Reform Watch: Goodwin endorsed by Tommy Robinson, plus cynicism in Preston and Dogle failures
Each week we cast our eyes over what Reform have been up to.
national.thelead.uk
February 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In this week's Reform Watch: Matt Goodwin endorsed by Tommy Robinson, cynicism in Preston and Dogle failures
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
The Welsh government’s launch of Baby Bundles is an overdue and welcome recognition that parenting is not, in fact, a solo sport. Raising a child requires a village - and this policy acknowledges that forgotten truth.
national.thelead.uk/p/baby-bundl...
national.thelead.uk/p/baby-bundl...
Parents aren’t failing their children. The state is failing parents
Welsh baby bundles are welcome – but they won’t rebuild the village parents desperately need.
national.thelead.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM
The Welsh government’s launch of Baby Bundles is an overdue and welcome recognition that parenting is not, in fact, a solo sport. Raising a child requires a village - and this policy acknowledges that forgotten truth.
national.thelead.uk/p/baby-bundl...
national.thelead.uk/p/baby-bundl...
Our round-up of what The Lead's been has reading, listening to, scrolling and watching this week ⬇️
national.thelead.uk/p/peter-mand...
national.thelead.uk/p/peter-mand...
The Lead Digest: AI in the North, quarter zips and Peter Mandelson
Our round-up by The Lead’s team of what we’ve been reading, listening to, scrolling and watching each week.
national.thelead.uk
February 5, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Our round-up of what The Lead's been has reading, listening to, scrolling and watching this week ⬇️
national.thelead.uk/p/peter-mand...
national.thelead.uk/p/peter-mand...
Reposted by The Lead
Do you hear that, coming from Nigel Farage? An unfamiliar sound: silence.
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
Reform UK’s silence on Epstein speaks volumes
A politics that claims to defend women while refusing to confront the systems that harm them is not about protection. It's about strategy.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Do you hear that, coming from Nigel Farage? An unfamiliar sound: silence.
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
Reposted by The Lead
Free school transport for hundreds of children in RCT has been cut since September. I heard from two parents whose families have been impacted, the campaigners calling for change, and the politicians supporting them.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/my-child-i...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/my-child-i...
"My child is walking six miles to and from school every day."
Families in Rhondda Cynon Taf are crying out for changes after changes to school transport came into effect in September
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Free school transport for hundreds of children in RCT has been cut since September. I heard from two parents whose families have been impacted, the campaigners calling for change, and the politicians supporting them.
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/my-child-i...
@theleaduk.bsky.social
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/my-child-i...
Evening - here's the latest Local editions of The Lead which dropped into thousands of inboxes today. Ensure you're subscribed to get them first. Kicking off with The Valleys Lead about children in Rhondda Cynon Taf showing up to school soaking wet, waiting endlessly for public buses....
"My child is walking six miles to and from school every day."
Families in Rhondda Cynon Taf are crying out for changes after changes to school transport came into effect in September
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Evening - here's the latest Local editions of The Lead which dropped into thousands of inboxes today. Ensure you're subscribed to get them first. Kicking off with The Valleys Lead about children in Rhondda Cynon Taf showing up to school soaking wet, waiting endlessly for public buses....
Reform UK is the self-styled anti-establishment movement that claims to stand up for women and girls against the supposed dangers of immigration and liberal elites, so why is it staying silent on Epstein?
✍️ @zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-uks...
✍️ @zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-uks...
Reform UK’s silence on Epstein speaks volumes
A politics that claims to defend women while refusing to confront the systems that harm them is not about protection. It's about strategy.
national.thelead.uk
February 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Reform UK is the self-styled anti-establishment movement that claims to stand up for women and girls against the supposed dangers of immigration and liberal elites, so why is it staying silent on Epstein?
✍️ @zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-uks...
✍️ @zoe.grunewald.bsky.social
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-uks...
Although national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change, and there are success stories everywhere
national.thelead.uk/p/hope-clima...
national.thelead.uk/p/hope-clima...
From baby beavers to river walks, where climate action is quietly taking root
While national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change.
national.thelead.uk
February 3, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Although national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change, and there are success stories everywhere
national.thelead.uk/p/hope-clima...
national.thelead.uk/p/hope-clima...
Good evening and hope you've had a good Sunday, our latest Lead Local editions landed in inboxes this morning. Kicking off with the first edition of The Valleys Lead with @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social on the case of how fly-tipping is a blight on communities
The stunning mountains and gorgeous views being wrecked by fly-tipping
At the highest point in Nelson we meet the people left frustrated by the 'sheer laziness' of those who tip waste on their doorsteps
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 1, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Good evening and hope you've had a good Sunday, our latest Lead Local editions landed in inboxes this morning. Kicking off with the first edition of The Valleys Lead with @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social on the case of how fly-tipping is a blight on communities
Reposted by The Lead
The first edition of The Valleys Lead was published today.
Independent journalism covering the south Wales valleys as the country prepares for what is likely to be the biggest Senedd election since 1999.
Go and follow/subscribe for free!
Independent journalism covering the south Wales valleys as the country prepares for what is likely to be the biggest Senedd election since 1999.
Go and follow/subscribe for free!
Fly-tipping isn't unique to Nelson, a town in the south Wales valleys, but as with widespread issues, the impact on locals is no less disappointing.
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
The stunning mountains and gorgeous views being wrecked by fly-tipping
At the highest point in Nelson we meet the people left frustrated by the 'sheer laziness' of those who tip waste on their doorsteps
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 1, 2026 at 7:36 PM
The first edition of The Valleys Lead was published today.
Independent journalism covering the south Wales valleys as the country prepares for what is likely to be the biggest Senedd election since 1999.
Go and follow/subscribe for free!
Independent journalism covering the south Wales valleys as the country prepares for what is likely to be the biggest Senedd election since 1999.
Go and follow/subscribe for free!
Reposted by The Lead
Fly-tipping isn't unique to Nelson, a town in the south Wales valleys, but as with widespread issues, the impact on locals is no less disappointing.
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
The stunning mountains and gorgeous views being wrecked by fly-tipping
At the highest point in Nelson we meet the people left frustrated by the 'sheer laziness' of those who tip waste on their doorsteps
thevalleys.thelead.uk
February 1, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Fly-tipping isn't unique to Nelson, a town in the south Wales valleys, but as with widespread issues, the impact on locals is no less disappointing.
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
The latest long read for The Valleys Lead.
thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/fly-tippin...
While national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change.
@thediyora.bsky.social reports in the latest story in our series The Hope Reset
@thediyora.bsky.social reports in the latest story in our series The Hope Reset
From baby beavers to river walks, where climate action is quietly taking root
While national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change.
national.thelead.uk
January 31, 2026 at 8:49 AM
While national environmental movements have disappeared from headlines, climate action hasn’t stopped – community groups are now leading the charge on positive change.
@thediyora.bsky.social reports in the latest story in our series The Hope Reset
@thediyora.bsky.social reports in the latest story in our series The Hope Reset
Matt Goodwin has managed to escape serious scrutiny, mainly on account of being a useful to the right, and undeserving of the oxygen for the left. But now he’s standing for office, the gloves are coming off.
@padraigreidy.bsky.social on this week's Reform Watch
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
@padraigreidy.bsky.social on this week's Reform Watch
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
Reform Watch Special: The Hungarian Candidate
Each week we cast our eyes over what Reform have been up to. This week, we're looking directly at Matt Goodwin.
national.thelead.uk
January 29, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Matt Goodwin has managed to escape serious scrutiny, mainly on account of being a useful to the right, and undeserving of the oxygen for the left. But now he’s standing for office, the gloves are coming off.
@padraigreidy.bsky.social on this week's Reform Watch
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
@padraigreidy.bsky.social on this week's Reform Watch
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-wat...
Reposted by The Lead
What do Suella Braverman and Andy Burnham have in common?
My column for @theleaduk.bsky.social on what this week’s political news tells us about Britains “partyocracy”
national.thelead.uk/p/andy-burnh...
My column for @theleaduk.bsky.social on what this week’s political news tells us about Britains “partyocracy”
national.thelead.uk/p/andy-burnh...
January 27, 2026 at 12:45 PM
What do Suella Braverman and Andy Burnham have in common?
My column for @theleaduk.bsky.social on what this week’s political news tells us about Britains “partyocracy”
national.thelead.uk/p/andy-burnh...
My column for @theleaduk.bsky.social on what this week’s political news tells us about Britains “partyocracy”
national.thelead.uk/p/andy-burnh...
Reposted by The Lead
The Valleys Lead has launched (!!!!!!!) and we at @theleaduk.bsky.social are over the moon to start sharing stories from the South Wales Valleys.
If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk.
open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...
If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk.
open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...
Welcome to The Valleys Lead
Going behind the headlines to share stories from people in the South Wales Valleys
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:35 AM
The Valleys Lead has launched (!!!!!!!) and we at @theleaduk.bsky.social are over the moon to start sharing stories from the South Wales Valleys.
If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk.
open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...
If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk.
open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...
Good morning - and here's the latest from our Lead Local titles, with some big news that we're now operating in the Valleys of South Wales. @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social writes in the first ever edition of The Valleys Lead
Welcome to The Valleys Lead
Going behind the headlines to share stories from people in the South Wales Valleys
thevalleys.thelead.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Good morning - and here's the latest from our Lead Local titles, with some big news that we're now operating in the Valleys of South Wales. @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social writes in the first ever edition of The Valleys Lead