General Election | The Lead

Inside Teesside Cannabis Club where harm-reduction and community are crucial

Teesside has among the highest rate of drug-related deaths in England and Wales, but a progressive approach to substance use and a welcoming community has been transformative for many who would otherwise be disenfranchised from society.

By Sarah Sinclair

Return of parking charges could be the death of Redcar small businesses

The offer of an hour free parking was removed with shoppers now forced to pay £1.60 for the first hour and £2.20 for each additional hour - and businesses are feeling the impact

By Antonia Charlesworth Stack

Unsung heroes and a leap into the future with Teesside's joyous arts scene

With the council facing a £15m deficit and popular venues closing there's a tricky future for creatives to navigate

By Liv Collins

92-year-old left without gifts and unacceptable Royal Mail fail to help

Pam, 92, is just the latest example of a quality of service at Royal Mail that the Communication Workers Union say is 'not at an acceptable level'

By Jamie Lopez

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

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

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

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.