Category Archives: Political

Politics affecting the north west of England.

Two more murals spotted 28th June 2024

Posted on 2 July 2024 by Pete of MIP

Two more murals in Preston.  Both viewable for the delight of train travellers.   Although one isn’t new. This first one appears new and can be seen from a train inbound from Blackpool.  Four o’clock low when you see the docks.  … Continue reading →

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Tail winds at BAE Systems Lancashire

Posted on 23 July 2018 by Pete of MIP

First there was Tornado, then there was Typhoon and what next?   The concept for the anticipated next aircraft project at BAE Systems in Lancashire and the Royal Air Force has been announced as the Tempest, photographed below. A concept design … Continue reading →

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Preston pipped by Lancaster for the highest EU Remain Vote in Lancashire

Posted on 29 June 2016 by Pete of MIP

In the EU Referendum all 14 Lancashire areas voted to leave.   By percentage votes it went Preston 53/47 for leave,  Lancaster 51/49 for leave.  Highest leave was Blackpool 67/33 with Burnley next 66/34. Preston and Lancaster have large student … Continue reading →

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Christmas Holiday Rain Brings Floods on the Ribble

Posted on 7 January 2016 by Pete of MIP

The River Ribble broke its banks twice over the holidays reaching its highest ever level at Walton Le Dale. The Environment Agency records that 40 significant events have been recorded since 1600. The most significant was in 1866 when flooding … Continue reading →

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Devolution of Lancashire

Posted on 12 December 2015 by Pete of MIP

The councils of Lancashire are considering the benefits of combining under a single authority to obtain new powers devolved from central government.  This has been done in Greater Manchester who have agreed to have an elected Mayor.  Other cities and areas … Continue reading →

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Lancashire County Council budget cuts

Posted on 25 November 2015 by Pete of MIP

Lancashire County Council put a number of proposals forward to reduce their expenditure to meet the allocated budget from the government. Some headlines are the closure of the Museum of Lancashire on Stanley Street, plus several other museums including Helmshore … Continue reading →

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Denis Healey RIP and his Preston Effect

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Pete of MIP

Denis Healey, a forceful Londoner brought up as a Yorkshireman, died this weekend at the grand age of 98.  After impressive war service, gaining an MBE in 1945, he joined the Labour Party becoming an MP in 1952.  He was … Continue reading →

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Preston City Region

Posted on 12 November 2014 by Pete of MIP

Preston is home to Lancashire County Council and perhaps that is why Preston has never rocked the boat and become a Unitary Council such as Blackburn & Darwen and Blackpool.  Talk of devolution to the north of England opens the … Continue reading →

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Management Redundancies at BAE and Lancashire County Council

Posted on 15 October 2014 by Pete of MIP

In the last few weeks BAE SYSTEMS announced between 150 and 450 management job losses at their Warton plant.  Lancashire County Council announced 150 management job losses. BAE said they hope to re-deploy some people to other parts of the … Continue reading →

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The United Kingdom and Northern Parliament

Posted on 11 August 2014 by Pete of MIP

The UK / Great Britain are famous brands respected all over the world for democracy, legal system, science, culture, innovation and more.   It seems amazing that people suggest they are willing to give it up and split the country … Continue reading →

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Transport Investment around Preston

Posted on 8 August 2014 by Pete of MIP

On top of the Northern Hub which will deliver electrified rail for the rail links from Preston to Manchester via Bolton and via Wigan and to Blackpool we have fresh discussion on a ‘northern powerhouse’. The Northern Powerhouse is the … Continue reading →

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Preston Draft Master Plan – 5,000 new homes

Posted on 10 January 2014 by Pete of MIP

  The Preston Draft Master Plan will be published for consultation on 20th January 2014. It is said to contain plans for 5,000 homes in north west Preston along the south side of the M55 motorway.  These will be in … Continue reading →

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Lancashire City Deal let’s see the action

Posted on 20 December 2013 by Pete of MIP

An impressive Business Insight supplement in The Times newspaper, Tuesday 10th December, covering Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire’s big City Deal and Leyland Trucks. The articles give a very rosy, unquestioning picture but it is said infrastructure and education are … Continue reading →

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Grade II Listing 1416042: Preston Bus Station

Posted on 29 September 2013 by Pete of MIP

The campaign to save Preston Bus Station was given a boost this week when the bus station was listed by English Heritage.  This puts the bus station in the top 800 post war heritage buildings in England. The listing of … Continue reading →

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Local interest in ‘The White Queen’ on BBC

Posted on 28 July 2013 by Pete of MIP

The BBC historical dramatisation ‘The White Queen’ based on a book written by Philippa Gregory, seeks to give a female perspective to history in the 15th Century by portraying events from the Queen’s view.  The three ladies most in the … Continue reading →

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Preston Bus Station conspiracy theory

Posted on 19 June 2013 by Pete of MIP

The Evening Post published a story yesterday that the recommendation of the consultants was to refurbish the bus station.  To add a touch of mystery it is alleged this part was deleted at the request of Lancashire County Council (LCC) … Continue reading →

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Is Stoke giving Preston a Bus Station message

Posted on 31 March 2013 by Pete of MIP

Preston’s Council Leader gave us his version of the Bus Station Blues on the BBC Culture Show last week.  It seems it will be knocked down on the altar of day to day council services and pressure from Lancashire County Council. … Continue reading →

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The Preston Doomsday Scenario

Posted on 10 January 2013 by Pete of MIP

It’s easy to sit at home and scoff about Doomsday Scenario statements from the leader of Preston’s council as reported in the Evening Post.  Today’s comment about the Guild Hall being on the agenda for cuts or even knocked down … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Political, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Preston Council’s D-Day (for Demolition)

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Pete of MIP

On Monday 17th December 2012 Preston Council will have what may be their biggest day for a long time.  Transforming the face of Preston for 100 years.  Here is the list of demolitions taken from the Preston Council website, sounds … Continue reading →

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Breaking the Bottle Necks with the Central Lancashire Transport Plan to 2025

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Pete of MIP

Lancashire County Council today published a transport paper that will be subject of public consultation in front of a government inspector in early 2013. The cost of the plan is estimated at £275million. It isn’t clear if a replacement Preston … Continue reading →

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