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Restoring confidence into a group that's picked up four points from a fairly kind opening eight games will be no easy task, writes George Hodgson

After May's local elections, Labour hung onto control of Preston City Council by a thread. With it has come a change in deputy leader (although she's a very familiar face) and a newly elected St Matthew councillor too.

Remarkable headline and the flag in the fish itself is solid chefs kiss.

Terrific story, this.

Exclusive: A document withheld from the public by Lancashire County Council said there was a risk of judicial review in plans to withdraw from refugee schemes. Some cllrs were told to sign NDAs to prevent them from making it public, despite LCC’s admission the contents were in the public interest.

Exclusive: A document withheld from the public by Lancashire County Council said there was a risk of judicial review in plans to withdraw from refugee schemes. Some cllrs were told to sign NDAs to prevent them from making it public, despite LCC’s admission the contents were in the public interest.

The wait for one normal day in Lancashire politics continues, writes @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social as the fallout from the government's pausing of local government reorganisation continues

Could do to stop sharing Spotify with my partner.

Nigel Swales has become the first politician in the country to defect from Reform UK to Labour. He represents Skelmersdale East. Conversations regarding the defection had been taking place for at least several weeks and Cllr Swales had been in discussions with the regional office of Labour.

Just want one normal day. Never happens.

The announcement to pause LGR across the UK came as a number of local authorities set out intentions to launch legal action. Local elections set for May 2027 will go ahead as originally planned on existing council boundaries. The government remains committed to devolving power to local areas.

Breaking: Plans that would see Lancashire County Council and all other Lancashire unitary and district authorities scrapped have been paused. It comes as the govt is set to announce a review of the plans to ensure 'the process is robust and aligns with the new govt’s plans to rewire the state'.

Full statement from Cllr Swales.

There have been rumours of defections away from Reform UK at LCC for quite some time. There are other councillors who have at least enquired about joining the Conservatives. It’s also been suggested a number of councillors have one eye on Restore Britain - although so far that has come to nothing.

He cites his decision as being in response to the 'scandal' that the party has been embroiled into during his time in office. He is the second councillor to leave Reform UK at Lancashire County Council after Cllr Leon Graham left to join the Conservatives in July.

Nigel Swales has become the first politician in the country to defect from Reform UK to Labour. He represents Skelmersdale East. Conversations regarding the defection had been taking place for at least several weeks and Cllr Swales had been in discussions with the regional office of Labour.