Luke Beardsworth
@lukebeardsworth.bsky.social
Blog Preston co-editor / The Lead’s senior editor (North) posting our best from Blackpool, Lancashire, Southport, Teesside and Calderdale / sometimes UCLan lecturer / journalist / parkrun volunteer
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Jamie sends an in-depth look at the county twice per week.
Includes:
✍️ exclusive reporting
🗞️ the most important stories, without annoying ads
🤷🏻♂️ sense-making of devolution
🗓️ event dates for your diary
Sign up: lancashire.thelead.uk/subscribe
Lancashire weather update:
November 20, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Lancashire weather update:
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
Lancashire councillor Tom Pickup claims the party is showing a moderate face to the public that masks true immigration policies
Exclusive: Calls for anti-extremism investigation of suspended Reform councillor after "hardline" posts in far-right WhatsApp group revealed
Lancashire councillor Tom Pickup claims the party is showing a different face to the public
national.thelead.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Lancashire councillor Tom Pickup claims the party is showing a moderate face to the public that masks true immigration policies
Breaking: A senior Reform UK politician in Lancashire has been suspended by the party.
He will now sit as an independent.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/breaking-s...
He will now sit as an independent.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/breaking-s...
Breaking: Senior Reform UK figure at County Hall suspended by party
Whatsapp leaks lead to suspension of the council's lead member for finance and resources
lancashire.thelead.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Breaking: A senior Reform UK politician in Lancashire has been suspended by the party.
He will now sit as an independent.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/breaking-s...
He will now sit as an independent.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/breaking-s...
Subway saw spuds going viral and decided to start selling spuds.
Doesn’t mean anyone is choosing Subway for spuds.
See also: Labour trying to out-dickhead Reform.
national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
Doesn’t mean anyone is choosing Subway for spuds.
See also: Labour trying to out-dickhead Reform.
national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
The new asylum laws represent a fundamental downgrading of the rights of vulnerable people
How do you build a life when your right to remain is reassessed every two and a half years?
national.thelead.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Subway saw spuds going viral and decided to start selling spuds.
Doesn’t mean anyone is choosing Subway for spuds.
See also: Labour trying to out-dickhead Reform.
national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
Doesn’t mean anyone is choosing Subway for spuds.
See also: Labour trying to out-dickhead Reform.
national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
This is part of an ongoing assault on people seeking safety.
Hotel contractors take huge sums from the government yet provide poor, unsafe accommodation and food.
When someone speaks out, they are punished.
It is horrifying and deeply worrying.
national.thelead.uk/p/refugee-fa...
Hotel contractors take huge sums from the government yet provide poor, unsafe accommodation and food.
When someone speaks out, they are punished.
It is horrifying and deeply worrying.
national.thelead.uk/p/refugee-fa...
'Horrifying' treatment of Palestinian family-of-seven fleeing Gaza conflict - booted from asylum hotel day after speaking to journalists
The Blackpool Lead has exclusively revealed the family was moved the day after speaking with ITV News – with just two hours' notice.
national.thelead.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This is part of an ongoing assault on people seeking safety.
Hotel contractors take huge sums from the government yet provide poor, unsafe accommodation and food.
When someone speaks out, they are punished.
It is horrifying and deeply worrying.
national.thelead.uk/p/refugee-fa...
Hotel contractors take huge sums from the government yet provide poor, unsafe accommodation and food.
When someone speaks out, they are punished.
It is horrifying and deeply worrying.
national.thelead.uk/p/refugee-fa...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
Our comment on this horrifying case is featured in @theleaduk.bsky.social.
Thanks @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social for reporting on this story.
The government must stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money enriching private corporations like Serco & create safe, permanent housing for everyone.
Thanks @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social for reporting on this story.
The government must stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money enriching private corporations like Serco & create safe, permanent housing for everyone.
Our @seemasyeda.bsky.social told The Lead:
“It is horrifying that this Palestinian family, fleeing Israel’s brutal settler colonial regime, is being treated so inhumanely, especially right after they raised concerns about poor hotel accommodation in national media.”
“It is horrifying that this Palestinian family, fleeing Israel’s brutal settler colonial regime, is being treated so inhumanely, especially right after they raised concerns about poor hotel accommodation in national media.”
November 14, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Our comment on this horrifying case is featured in @theleaduk.bsky.social.
Thanks @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social for reporting on this story.
The government must stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money enriching private corporations like Serco & create safe, permanent housing for everyone.
Thanks @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social for reporting on this story.
The government must stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money enriching private corporations like Serco & create safe, permanent housing for everyone.
The discourse right now dictates that refugees must integrate and must strive to be useful (when it isn’t rejecting them altogether).
But that’s challenging when a nurse studying to adapt her qualifications for the UK is relocated with an hour’s notice.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/palestinia...
But that’s challenging when a nurse studying to adapt her qualifications for the UK is relocated with an hour’s notice.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/palestinia...
Palestinian family-of-seven booted from Metropole day after raising concerns over condition of hotel
The Blackpool Lead can exclusively reveal that the family were moved 24 hours after speaking with ITV - leaving their eldest daughter's nurse training in disarray
blackpool.thelead.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The discourse right now dictates that refugees must integrate and must strive to be useful (when it isn’t rejecting them altogether).
But that’s challenging when a nurse studying to adapt her qualifications for the UK is relocated with an hour’s notice.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/palestinia...
But that’s challenging when a nurse studying to adapt her qualifications for the UK is relocated with an hour’s notice.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/palestinia...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
Emails seen by The Lead show the councillor, through Lancashire County Council staff, issuing legal threats after his role in private care was questioned.
Exclusive: Reform UK councillor threatens legal action to shut down debate over Lancashire care home closures
Emails seen by The Lead show the councillor, through Lancashire County Council staff, issuing legal threats after his role in private care was questioned.
national.thelead.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Emails seen by The Lead show the councillor, through Lancashire County Council staff, issuing legal threats after his role in private care was questioned.
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
In Lancashire @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social spoke to parents, organisers and politicians about the failures of the council in getting children the support they need lancashire.thelead.uk/p/send-servi...
Their stories: Parents give left behind and forgotten SEND kids a voice at County Hall demonstration
Lancashire County Council said it has a plan to improve its SEND services - but there are hundreds of parents still in limbo waiting for help in the meantime
lancashire.thelead.uk
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
In Lancashire @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social spoke to parents, organisers and politicians about the failures of the council in getting children the support they need lancashire.thelead.uk/p/send-servi...
Spent the morning outside County Hall in Lancashire speaking with parents who left pairs of shoes to represent their children being let down by the educational system and a lack of support for SEND kids.
November 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Spent the morning outside County Hall in Lancashire speaking with parents who left pairs of shoes to represent their children being let down by the educational system and a lack of support for SEND kids.
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
Should the man who leads on a review that could see ten care facilities close be the director of a private care company?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Opposition councillor hit with legal threat in raising potential conflict of interest in Reform UK care home review plans
Cllr Graham Dalton firmly denies that his business would profit in any way if closures were to go ahead
lancashire.thelead.uk
October 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Should the man who leads on a review that could see ten care facilities close be the director of a private care company?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Should the man who leads on a review that could see ten care facilities close be the director of a private care company?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Opposition councillor hit with legal threat in raising potential conflict of interest in Reform UK care home review plans
Cllr Graham Dalton firmly denies that his business would profit in any way if closures were to go ahead
lancashire.thelead.uk
October 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Should the man who leads on a review that could see ten care facilities close be the director of a private care company?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Perhaps unsurprisingly, an opposition councillor has questions. More alarming in the response.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/reform-gra...
Atreus waiting for Ruth to come home yesterday evening.
October 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Atreus waiting for Ruth to come home yesterday evening.
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
On this week’s Notes from the North, editor @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social shares our top stories from the North, looking at fracking in Lancashire and a Green Party membership boom in Calderdale
national.thelead.uk/p/notes-from...
national.thelead.uk/p/notes-from...
Notes from the North: Door left open to fracking in Lancashire and inquest rules council enforced house sale contributed to suicide
Latest on our exclusive, agenda-setting and award-winning journalism in the North of England
national.thelead.uk
October 23, 2025 at 8:29 AM
On this week’s Notes from the North, editor @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social shares our top stories from the North, looking at fracking in Lancashire and a Green Party membership boom in Calderdale
national.thelead.uk/p/notes-from...
national.thelead.uk/p/notes-from...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
A number of factors contributed to Alistair Taylor’s decision to end his own life - but Blackpool Council’s forced purchase of his home was one of them, a coroner has ruled.
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
Enforced sale of Alistair Taylor's home to Blackpool Council contributed to his suicide, coroner rules
The Blackpool Lead was at the three-day inquest looking into the death of the much-loved and respected barber and father Alistair Taylor
blackpool.thelead.uk
October 19, 2025 at 6:36 AM
A number of factors contributed to Alistair Taylor’s decision to end his own life - but Blackpool Council’s forced purchase of his home was one of them, a coroner has ruled.
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
A number of factors contributed to Alistair Taylor’s decision to end his own life - but Blackpool Council’s forced purchase of his home was one of them, a coroner has ruled.
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
Enforced sale of Alistair Taylor's home to Blackpool Council contributed to his suicide, coroner rules
The Blackpool Lead was at the three-day inquest looking into the death of the much-loved and respected barber and father Alistair Taylor
blackpool.thelead.uk
October 19, 2025 at 6:36 AM
A number of factors contributed to Alistair Taylor’s decision to end his own life - but Blackpool Council’s forced purchase of his home was one of them, a coroner has ruled.
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
A story which came about in part due to eagerness to get Multiversity over the line.
blackpool.thelead.uk/p/alistair-t...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
A driving instructor is one of a number of drivers whose car was damaged by petrol purchased from a station in Penwortham.
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/driv...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/driv...
Driving instructor’s car left needing extensive repairs by contaminated fuel at Leyland Road petrol station – Blog Preston
<p>Asda has promised that all affected drivers will be compensated</p>
www.blogpreston.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 11:42 AM
A driving instructor is one of a number of drivers whose car was damaged by petrol purchased from a station in Penwortham.
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/driv...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/driv...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
Full result for the Ashton ward in Preston City Council by-election
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/pres...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/pres...
October 16, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Full result for the Ashton ward in Preston City Council by-election
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/pres...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/pres...
It might be over by midnight, but damn it I’ve still got my Haribo.
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/live...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/live...
Live: Preston City Council by-election for Ashton ward results and updates – Blog Preston
<p>Results as Preston Labour seek to hold the ward as six candidates compete for votes in the local election</p>
www.blogpreston.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:33 PM
It might be over by midnight, but damn it I’ve still got my Haribo.
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/live...
www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/10/live...
Walked into 40s after a bad personal week and two years living in shared housing in Brum, wondering what on earth I was doing.
A friend dragged me there as I was upset and I think it was the first time I felt at home in that city. Anyway I think this captures that.
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
A friend dragged me there as I was upset and I think it was the first time I felt at home in that city. Anyway I think this captures that.
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
LAST ORDERS, PLEASE
40 St Paul's, the Jewellery Quarter's era-defining speakeasy of a spot, is no more
mailchi.mp
October 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Walked into 40s after a bad personal week and two years living in shared housing in Brum, wondering what on earth I was doing.
A friend dragged me there as I was upset and I think it was the first time I felt at home in that city. Anyway I think this captures that.
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
A friend dragged me there as I was upset and I think it was the first time I felt at home in that city. Anyway I think this captures that.
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
Pleased that The Lancashire Lead has stayed with this story - and those affected have kept speaking. This will come as some vindication for those left out of pocket by Bodycare entering administration.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/bodycare-a...
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/bodycare-a...
Senior government minister calls for investigation into collapse of Bodycare
The government has taken notice of the actions involved in the collapse of a major Lancashire employer
lancashire.thelead.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Pleased that The Lancashire Lead has stayed with this story - and those affected have kept speaking. This will come as some vindication for those left out of pocket by Bodycare entering administration.
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/bodycare-a...
lancashire.thelead.uk/p/bodycare-a...
Reposted by Luke Beardsworth
It's Wednesday, so it's the latest from our Lead North team. We start with an exclusive in The Lancashire Lead as we reveal a senior government minister has called for an investigation into the collapse of Bodycare and the 'pattern of behaviour' involved
Senior government minister calls for investigation into collapse of Bodycare
The government has taken notice of the actions involved in the collapse of a major Lancashire employer
lancashire.thelead.uk
October 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It's Wednesday, so it's the latest from our Lead North team. We start with an exclusive in The Lancashire Lead as we reveal a senior government minister has called for an investigation into the collapse of Bodycare and the 'pattern of behaviour' involved
Any government that doesn’t tackle child poverty properly and meaningfully is failing.
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
Child poverty is a failure of the state and the economy it claims to safeguard
The government insists we cannot afford to lift children out of poverty, while those same children pay the price for political caution.
national.thelead.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Any government that doesn’t tackle child poverty properly and meaningfully is failing.
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
I’m on board with local govt reorg, if only so I never again have to remind people Preston City Council don’t handle roads.
It’s also weird that someone in Wyre likely has a Tory local cllr, Reform county cllr and a Labour MP.
Still - this is a worthy read.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It’s also weird that someone in Wyre likely has a Tory local cllr, Reform county cllr and a Labour MP.
Still - this is a worthy read.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
English democracy relies on local councillors. So why are so many facing the axe? | Polly Toynbee
Government plans to merge councils may not save money, and do nothing to solve the very real problems they face, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I’m on board with local govt reorg, if only so I never again have to remind people Preston City Council don’t handle roads.
It’s also weird that someone in Wyre likely has a Tory local cllr, Reform county cllr and a Labour MP.
Still - this is a worthy read.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It’s also weird that someone in Wyre likely has a Tory local cllr, Reform county cllr and a Labour MP.
Still - this is a worthy read.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I don’t like to think of myself as someone who gets influenced but I’m eating a lot of tinned fish right now.
October 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I don’t like to think of myself as someone who gets influenced but I’m eating a lot of tinned fish right now.