What was happening in Burnley Town Hall when the British National Party was winning and holding seats there? What lay behind the far right's advance, and what effect did it have on local government and wider policy trends? How did mainstream parties respond? This is the inside story of these developments, written by the council worker responsible for promoting good race relations in Burnley during the turbulent years following the 'northern town disturbances' of 2001. The book connects the story of one Lancashire town to contemporary social divisions and political trends across the UK: - The rise of right-wing populism, widespread antipathy to immigration, and a deep distrust of established politicians - The success of Boris Johnson's Conservatives in offering nationalism as an answer to some people's sense of abandonment in deindustrialised areas - Labour's attempts to 'reconnect' and win back support in northern constituencies like Burnley, which voted 67 per cent for Brexit and was one of the 'red wall' seats that Labour lost at the 2019 general election. On Burnley Road is both a remarkable example of granular social history and an urgent contribution to current debates on issues which affect us all. MakinWaite's perspectives on political identities, multiculturalism, and the potential of 'civic mediation' will interest anyone who is looking for effective ways forward to overcome racism and inequality, and to rebuild our democratic culture. --

Broken Heartlands is an essential and compelling political road-trip through ten constituencies that tell the story of Labour’s red wall from Sebastian Payne – an award-winning journalist and Whitehall Editor for the Financial Times. The Times Political Book of the Year A Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail and FT Book of the Year 'Immensely readable' - Observer Historically, the red wall formed the backbone of Labour’s vote in the Midlands and the North of England but, during the 2019 general election, it dramatically turned Conservative for the first time in living memory, redrawing the electoral map in the process. Originally from the North East himself, Payne sets out to uncover the real story behind the red wall and what turned these seats blue. Beginning in Blyth Valley in the North East and ending in Burnley, with visits to constituencies across the Midlands and Yorkshire along the way, Payne gets to the heart of a key political story of our time that will have ramifications for years to come. While Brexit and the unpopularity of opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn are factors, there is a more nuanced story explored in Broken Heartlands – of how these northern communities have fared through generational shifts, struggling public services, de-industrialization and the changing nature of work. Featuring interviews with local people, plus major political figures from both parties – including Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer – Payne explores the significant role these social and economic forces, decades in the making, have played in this fundamental upheaval of the British political landscape. 'Impressive and entertaining' - Sunday Times 'A must-read for anyone who wants to understand England today' - Robert Peston

This atlas of Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington contains 50 pages of coloured street mapping. The continuous coverage around Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington extends to include: -Barrowford, Colne, Trawden, Nelson, Whalley, Higham, Brierfield, Harle Syke, Langho, Wilpshire, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors, Padiham, Rose Grove, Worsthorne, Mellor, Rishton, Oswaldtwistle, Pleasington, Baxenden, Goodshaw, Darwen, Rossendale, Rawtenshaw and Bacup.-Also included are large scale town centre maps of Blackburn and Burnley.There is separate coverage of Todmorden, Clitheroe, Barnoldswick and Earby.Postcode districts and one-way streets are featured on the mapping.The index section of the atlas lists streets, selected flats, walkways and places of interest, place, area and station names, hospitals and hospices covered by the atlas.