Rob Parsons
@robparsonsna.bsky.social
Executive Editor - Local Democracy Reporting Service for Reach Plc
Pinned
Northern mayors like @andyburnham.bsky.social and @kimmcguinness.bsky.social have signed a letter to Rachel Reeves calling for Northern Powerhouse Rail to be delivered in full and the two-child benefit cap to be lifted
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
But one mayor refused to sign...
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www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
But one mayor refused to sign...
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November 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Northern mayors like @andyburnham.bsky.social and @kimmcguinness.bsky.social have signed a letter to Rachel Reeves calling for Northern Powerhouse Rail to be delivered in full and the two-child benefit cap to be lifted
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
But one mayor refused to sign...
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www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
But one mayor refused to sign...
1/3
Reposted by Rob Parsons
A superb cartoon by @graemebandeira.bsky.social for the @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social - Great drawing. Lots of beautiful details. "NOTFIXED" - The #art of an #editorial #cartoon on #UK Exchequer #RachelReeves and the #Budget - #Labour #government #KeirStarmer - #Netflix #Wednesday
November 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A superb cartoon by @graemebandeira.bsky.social for the @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social - Great drawing. Lots of beautiful details. "NOTFIXED" - The #art of an #editorial #cartoon on #UK Exchequer #RachelReeves and the #Budget - #Labour #government #KeirStarmer - #Netflix #Wednesday
Reposted by Rob Parsons
STEALING A LIVING!
Inspired by the heist at Le Louvre here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
www.shareyourstories.live/northern-agenda/
Inspired by the heist at Le Louvre here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
www.shareyourstories.live/northern-agenda/
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
STEALING A LIVING!
Inspired by the heist at Le Louvre here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
www.shareyourstories.live/northern-agenda/
Inspired by the heist at Le Louvre here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
www.shareyourstories.live/northern-agenda/
This is quite a story in the Manchester Evening News.
Excellent work by @josephtiman.bsky.social, Neal Keeling and Local Democracy Reporter Declan Carey to get to the bottom of this...
Excellent work by @josephtiman.bsky.social, Neal Keeling and Local Democracy Reporter Declan Carey to get to the bottom of this...
REVEALED: The Salford council scandal and the deleted emails sparking claims of a cover-up @manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The Salford council scandal and the deleted emails sparking claims of a cover-up
MEN INVESTIGATION: Multiple sources at Salford council confirmed that a relationship between the deputy mayor and, reportedly, a female council employee was widely known about in political circles. Af...
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This is quite a story in the Manchester Evening News.
Excellent work by @josephtiman.bsky.social, Neal Keeling and Local Democracy Reporter Declan Carey to get to the bottom of this...
Excellent work by @josephtiman.bsky.social, Neal Keeling and Local Democracy Reporter Declan Carey to get to the bottom of this...
Reposted by Rob Parsons
MADCHESTER!
Will there be many Unhappy Mondays ahead for Kemi?
Here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
Will there be many Unhappy Mondays ahead for Kemi?
Here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
October 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
MADCHESTER!
Will there be many Unhappy Mondays ahead for Kemi?
Here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
Will there be many Unhappy Mondays ahead for Kemi?
Here's today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social cartoon...
Will Greater Manchester be left out in the cold by Keir Starmer's government after Andy Burnham's high-profile antics at Labour conference?
I chat with @liamthorp.bsky.social and @josephtiman.bsky.social on the Northern Agenda podcast this week - recorded in the Liverpool Echo's fancy studio!
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I chat with @liamthorp.bsky.social and @josephtiman.bsky.social on the Northern Agenda podcast this week - recorded in the Liverpool Echo's fancy studio!
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October 1, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Will Greater Manchester be left out in the cold by Keir Starmer's government after Andy Burnham's high-profile antics at Labour conference?
I chat with @liamthorp.bsky.social and @josephtiman.bsky.social on the Northern Agenda podcast this week - recorded in the Liverpool Echo's fancy studio!
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I chat with @liamthorp.bsky.social and @josephtiman.bsky.social on the Northern Agenda podcast this week - recorded in the Liverpool Echo's fancy studio!
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Reposted by Rob Parsons
It was fantastic to welcome Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, for an in-conversation event with @robparsonsna.bsky.social at #LabourConference2025 yesterday.
The discussion, jointly hosted by the Railway Industry Association, covered key topics such as rail devolution and the case for investment.
The discussion, jointly hosted by the Railway Industry Association, covered key topics such as rail devolution and the case for investment.
September 29, 2025 at 7:31 AM
It was fantastic to welcome Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, for an in-conversation event with @robparsonsna.bsky.social at #LabourConference2025 yesterday.
The discussion, jointly hosted by the Railway Industry Association, covered key topics such as rail devolution and the case for investment.
The discussion, jointly hosted by the Railway Industry Association, covered key topics such as rail devolution and the case for investment.
'It won't do Andy Burnham any harm to be seen to be at war with an unpopular government'
Was great to have
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social of The Times on the Northern Agenda podcast this week with @liamthorp.bsky.social and I to chat Labour conference, Hillsborough Law and his love of Southport
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Was great to have
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social of The Times on the Northern Agenda podcast this week with @liamthorp.bsky.social and I to chat Labour conference, Hillsborough Law and his love of Southport
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September 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
'It won't do Andy Burnham any harm to be seen to be at war with an unpopular government'
Was great to have
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social of The Times on the Northern Agenda podcast this week with @liamthorp.bsky.social and I to chat Labour conference, Hillsborough Law and his love of Southport
1/2
Was great to have
@patrickmaguire.bsky.social of The Times on the Northern Agenda podcast this week with @liamthorp.bsky.social and I to chat Labour conference, Hillsborough Law and his love of Southport
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'The qualities that made Angela Rayner so good are those you're more likely to see in Northern people'
@liamthorp.bsky.social on the Labour deputy leader race...
Have a listen to this week's episode of The Northern Agenda podcast here:
podfollow.com/the-northern...
@liamthorp.bsky.social on the Labour deputy leader race...
Have a listen to this week's episode of The Northern Agenda podcast here:
podfollow.com/the-northern...
September 15, 2025 at 7:26 AM
'The qualities that made Angela Rayner so good are those you're more likely to see in Northern people'
@liamthorp.bsky.social on the Labour deputy leader race...
Have a listen to this week's episode of The Northern Agenda podcast here:
podfollow.com/the-northern...
@liamthorp.bsky.social on the Labour deputy leader race...
Have a listen to this week's episode of The Northern Agenda podcast here:
podfollow.com/the-northern...
Sorry for another self-indulgent post but it was my last newsletter as Northern Agenda Editor today 😢
You can read it here:
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/nxOY1JhcPDmq...
You can read it here:
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/nxOY1JhcPDmq...
September 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Sorry for another self-indulgent post but it was my last newsletter as Northern Agenda Editor today 😢
You can read it here:
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/nxOY1JhcPDmq...
You can read it here:
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/nxOY1JhcPDmq...
Does it matter if Labour's next Deputy Leader is a Northern woman? And why have Reform UK got it wrong about Northern Powerhouse Rail?
@liamthorp.bsky.social and I talk about this - and more - on the Northern Agenda podcast.
Have a listen here!
podfollow.com/the-northern...
@liamthorp.bsky.social and I talk about this - and more - on the Northern Agenda podcast.
Have a listen here!
podfollow.com/the-northern...
The Northern Agenda: Bridget vs Lucy: should Labour's next deputy leader be a Northern woman?
Rob Parsons and Liam Thorp are back discussing the week's political news from a Northern perspective and there are some big questions to answer.As Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell compete ...
podfollow.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Does it matter if Labour's next Deputy Leader is a Northern woman? And why have Reform UK got it wrong about Northern Powerhouse Rail?
@liamthorp.bsky.social and I talk about this - and more - on the Northern Agenda podcast.
Have a listen here!
podfollow.com/the-northern...
@liamthorp.bsky.social and I talk about this - and more - on the Northern Agenda podcast.
Have a listen here!
podfollow.com/the-northern...
Reposted by Rob Parsons
69% of Northerners - and 62% of Britons - back the construction of new high-speed railways between northern cities in principle, amid Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice saying his party would axe such schemes
North of England
Support: 69%
Oppose: 16%
All Britons
Support: 62%
Oppose: 19%
North of England
Support: 69%
Oppose: 16%
All Britons
Support: 62%
Oppose: 19%
September 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
69% of Northerners - and 62% of Britons - back the construction of new high-speed railways between northern cities in principle, amid Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice saying his party would axe such schemes
North of England
Support: 69%
Oppose: 16%
All Britons
Support: 62%
Oppose: 19%
North of England
Support: 69%
Oppose: 16%
All Britons
Support: 62%
Oppose: 19%
Reposted by Rob Parsons
I'm sad to see Local Govt and Devo Minister Jim McMahon lose his job in Keir Starmer's big reshuffle - not least because I'd just interviewed him for the Northern Agenda podcast...
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
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Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
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September 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm sad to see Local Govt and Devo Minister Jim McMahon lose his job in Keir Starmer's big reshuffle - not least because I'd just interviewed him for the Northern Agenda podcast...
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
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Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
1/2
I'm sad to see Local Govt and Devo Minister Jim McMahon lose his job in Keir Starmer's big reshuffle - not least because I'd just interviewed him for the Northern Agenda podcast...
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
1/2
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
1/2
September 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm sad to see Local Govt and Devo Minister Jim McMahon lose his job in Keir Starmer's big reshuffle - not least because I'd just interviewed him for the Northern Agenda podcast...
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
1/2
Here he is talking about empowering local leaders and how too many decisions are still being made in Whitehall.
1/2
I have some job news...
September 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I have some job news...
"It doesn't send a good sign when councils close the door and refuse to engage with the local press."
Local Government Minister (and former Oldham council leader) @jimmcmahon.co.uk
on Reform UK's Nottingham Post/Notts Live ban...
@oliverpridmore.bsky.social
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Local Government Minister (and former Oldham council leader) @jimmcmahon.co.uk
on Reform UK's Nottingham Post/Notts Live ban...
@oliverpridmore.bsky.social
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September 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"It doesn't send a good sign when councils close the door and refuse to engage with the local press."
Local Government Minister (and former Oldham council leader) @jimmcmahon.co.uk
on Reform UK's Nottingham Post/Notts Live ban...
@oliverpridmore.bsky.social
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Local Government Minister (and former Oldham council leader) @jimmcmahon.co.uk
on Reform UK's Nottingham Post/Notts Live ban...
@oliverpridmore.bsky.social
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Reposted by Rob Parsons
This story might be worth bearing in mind next time shadow justice secretary @robertjenrickmp.bsky.social talks about law and order😐
From today's Northern Agenda newsletter, great scoop by
@paddyedrich.bsky.social in the Liverpool Echo
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From today's Northern Agenda newsletter, great scoop by
@paddyedrich.bsky.social in the Liverpool Echo
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September 2, 2025 at 1:36 PM
This story might be worth bearing in mind next time shadow justice secretary @robertjenrickmp.bsky.social talks about law and order😐
From today's Northern Agenda newsletter, great scoop by
@paddyedrich.bsky.social in the Liverpool Echo
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From today's Northern Agenda newsletter, great scoop by
@paddyedrich.bsky.social in the Liverpool Echo
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Really terrible news for everyone at Vivergo and the rest of the bioethanol industry as the Government refuses to offer funding to support it.
The US-UK trade removed tariffs on more than £1bn of cheaper US imports, fatally undermining what could have been a major domestic growth industry...
The US-UK trade removed tariffs on more than £1bn of cheaper US imports, fatally undermining what could have been a major domestic growth industry...
The Starmer-Trump US-UK trade deal removing tariffs on £1bn+ of cheaper US ethanol means Hull firm
Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
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Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
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August 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Really terrible news for everyone at Vivergo and the rest of the bioethanol industry as the Government refuses to offer funding to support it.
The US-UK trade removed tariffs on more than £1bn of cheaper US imports, fatally undermining what could have been a major domestic growth industry...
The US-UK trade removed tariffs on more than £1bn of cheaper US imports, fatally undermining what could have been a major domestic growth industry...
The Starmer-Trump US-UK trade deal removing tariffs on £1bn+ of cheaper US ethanol means Hull firm
Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
1/2
Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
1/2
August 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The Starmer-Trump US-UK trade deal removing tariffs on £1bn+ of cheaper US ethanol means Hull firm
Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
1/2
Vivergo Fuels will have to start making staff redundant on Tuesday - unless govt steps in.
Here's the firm's MD Ben Hackett speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast today
1/2
Billions of £ of investment in vital infrastructure is promised by the Labour govt in the coming years - but the biggest projects in the North aren't in transport, energy or schools.
That was what I discovered when I had a look at the online Infrastructure Pipeline. Regional breakdown here...
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That was what I discovered when I had a look at the online Infrastructure Pipeline. Regional breakdown here...
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August 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Billions of £ of investment in vital infrastructure is promised by the Labour govt in the coming years - but the biggest projects in the North aren't in transport, energy or schools.
That was what I discovered when I had a look at the online Infrastructure Pipeline. Regional breakdown here...
1/12
That was what I discovered when I had a look at the online Infrastructure Pipeline. Regional breakdown here...
1/12
Reposted by Rob Parsons
It was brilliant to have the always excellent and very nice @priceoffootball.bsky.social on The Northern Agenda pod this week
Keiran provided a fascinating if not depressing analysis of the d superset plights of some of the north’s proud football institutions
Keiran provided a fascinating if not depressing analysis of the d superset plights of some of the north’s proud football institutions
'You can't eliminate the danger of another Bury or Macclesfield Town going out of existence. But you can have greater checks and balances to dissuade wrong'uns from entering the industry'
Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
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Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
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August 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It was brilliant to have the always excellent and very nice @priceoffootball.bsky.social on The Northern Agenda pod this week
Keiran provided a fascinating if not depressing analysis of the d superset plights of some of the north’s proud football institutions
Keiran provided a fascinating if not depressing analysis of the d superset plights of some of the north’s proud football institutions
'You can't eliminate the danger of another Bury or Macclesfield Town going out of existence. But you can have greater checks and balances to dissuade wrong'uns from entering the industry'
Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
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Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
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August 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
'You can't eliminate the danger of another Bury or Macclesfield Town going out of existence. But you can have greater checks and balances to dissuade wrong'uns from entering the industry'
Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
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Keiran Maguire (@priceoffootball.bsky.social) on regulating football on the Northern Agenda podcast
1/2
NEW: The National Crime Agency will take over the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse of Rotherham grooming gang victims by former South Yorkshire Police officers
Victims had been furious that SYP were allowed to investigate themselves.
Here's South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard:
Victims had been furious that SYP were allowed to investigate themselves.
Here's South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard:
August 8, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NEW: The National Crime Agency will take over the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse of Rotherham grooming gang victims by former South Yorkshire Police officers
Victims had been furious that SYP were allowed to investigate themselves.
Here's South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard:
Victims had been furious that SYP were allowed to investigate themselves.
Here's South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard:
Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards (@markjsewards.bsky.social)
announced this week he'd worked with a local start-up to create a prototype AI version of himself to answer constituents' questions/deal with case work.
I'm not a constituent but thought I'd give AI Mark Sewards a call 📲
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announced this week he'd worked with a local start-up to create a prototype AI version of himself to answer constituents' questions/deal with case work.
I'm not a constituent but thought I'd give AI Mark Sewards a call 📲
1/2
August 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards (@markjsewards.bsky.social)
announced this week he'd worked with a local start-up to create a prototype AI version of himself to answer constituents' questions/deal with case work.
I'm not a constituent but thought I'd give AI Mark Sewards a call 📲
1/2
announced this week he'd worked with a local start-up to create a prototype AI version of himself to answer constituents' questions/deal with case work.
I'm not a constituent but thought I'd give AI Mark Sewards a call 📲
1/2
The Government is shaking up the way it funds councils to make things fairer - but it's going to mean town halls in London losing out (while those up North largely benefit)
New analysis by @theifs.bsky.social - and graphic by
Marianna Longo in today's Northern Agenda newsletter...
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New analysis by @theifs.bsky.social - and graphic by
Marianna Longo in today's Northern Agenda newsletter...
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August 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The Government is shaking up the way it funds councils to make things fairer - but it's going to mean town halls in London losing out (while those up North largely benefit)
New analysis by @theifs.bsky.social - and graphic by
Marianna Longo in today's Northern Agenda newsletter...
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New analysis by @theifs.bsky.social - and graphic by
Marianna Longo in today's Northern Agenda newsletter...
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