General Election | The Lead

The Turner Prize is just the start of Blackpool’s cultural ambitions

Arts leaders in Blackpool are working with the local authority to draw up a five-year Cultural Plan - so now is the right time to set out big aspirations.

By Laura Davis

Fylde general election hustings to be held in Lytham

The Lancashire Lead is teaming with The Lancashire Post and Blog Preston to give you the chance to quiz the candidates to be your next MP

By Ed Walker

Police promises to handle any further Blackpool disruption robustly

“If there are outbreaks of disorder, we will robustly investigate any offences committed to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."

By Luke Beardsworth

Job cuts drive at Blackpool Victoria Hospital but most applications are being declined

Some 56 applications had been received by the time the original four-week window closed earlier this year, but 40 were refused “for various reasons”

By Michael Holmes

Metropole asylum seekers need more than 'board and lodgings'

Blackpool charity share how they've organised trips out for those within the hotel - as one of the town's two MPs calls for the government to stop using the Metropole Hotel

By Ed Walker

The changing face of Blackpool's Grange Park

Grange Park is one of hundreds of housing estates built after the Second World War. Life has changed in the decades since; here The Blackpool Lead speaks with residents past and present

By Antonia Charlesworth Stack

Paul Maynard defends parliamentary investigation into him at Blackpool North and Fleetwood hustings

Housing, immigration and Conservative scandal all topics of discussion at our hustings event in Cleveleys

By Luke Beardsworth

Appeal after man suffers bleed on brain in Blackpool disorder

Police want to speak with the man in the images after another man was left in hospital

By Luke Beardsworth

Why did Blackpool riot?

Some, but not all, in Blackpool chose to respond to a wicked act in Southport with violence instead of support. But the search for answers as to why isn't straightforward

By Michael Holmes

Voices and stories of Blackpool's young homeless to be heard

Poet and spoke word artist Nathan Parker teams up with Streetlife to bring stories from the streets to life

By Ed Walker

Live: General election 2024 updates, results and analysis as the UK votes

Join The Lead for our election night coverage with correspondents in the North of England and our national editors and Westminster Editors in London, plus contributions from our correspondents and writers throughout Thursday 4 July into Friday 5 July.

Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher denies using ChatGPT for 'heartfelt' campaign posts

Mark Butcher admitted to using technology to reply to comments on Facebook for speed purposes, but denied using ChatGPT.

By Jamie Lopez

Destitution is the great silent issue this election

Starmer has promised no return to austerity politics, but that commitment alone is not enough to heal the problem.

By Hannah Fearn

Blackpool mum-of-three dealing with damp and mould facing eviction for raising issue

A mum-of-three was hit with a Section 21 eviction notice after informing her landlord of issues with her home - Shelagh Parkinson reports from the hustings event organised by The Blackpool Lead and Blackpool Gazette

Charities watchdog considering fresh evidence in Mark Butcher investigation

The Charity Commission continues to investigate complaints about a soup kitchen linked to Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher

By Kevin Gopal

Bolton predicted to show nowhere is safe for Conservatives in the general election

Bolton West is the Conservatives’ most secure seat in Greater Manchester - but YouGov has them losing

By Kevin Gopal

Teesside's so-called Red Wall predicted to be 'substantially rebuilt' in general election

Polling firm YouGov has Labour down to win all of the Teesside seats, with a share of the vote ranging from 39% in Stockton West to 52% in Stockton North

By Kevin Gopal

Warrington: Forged in tragedy, united in resilience and on the brink of political change

Warrington is a town of reconciliation and community. But its seems even this town cannot forgive 14 years of Tory misrule

By Zoë Grünewald

Paul Maynard defends parliamentary investigation into him at Blackpool North and Fleetwood hustings

Housing, immigration and Conservative scandal all topics of discussion at our hustings event in Cleveleys

By Luke Beardsworth

The Lead is back in print - ahead of the general election on 4 July

The Lead publishes in Warrington, Altrincham & Sale, Hyndburn, Lancashire, Bury, Burnley and Rossendale in print for the first time - with second editions appearing in Blackpool, Teesside, Bolton and Stoke-on-Trent

By Luke Beardsworth

The Lead is now on Substack.