Cllr John Clayton

20/08/2026

Have a read of this, folks.

The fact our Government even needs to explain these basic standards of behaviour to people coming to this country says it all.

Respect our laws. Respect our people. Respect our way of life. It really is that simple.

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20/08/2026

The incident comes just weeks after 60,000 migrants stormed the city of Ceuta

20/08/2026

📍 LOWER HOLLIN BANK STREET

This video was sent to me by a resident who asked me to take a look.

I’ve now reported the issue directly to the council and asked for it to be dealt with.

Thanks to the resident for getting in touch and bringing it to my attention. 👍

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN HAS THE SECOND-HIGHEST SUPPORTED-ASYLUM RATE IN ENGLAND ON THE LATEST HOME OFFICE LOCAL TABLE.

I have checked these figures carefully. This issue is too important for exaggeration.

During 2025, 41,472 people were detected arriving in the UK by small boat.

Of the 40,280 whose nationality had been recorded:

19% were Eritrean
12% Afghan
11% Iranian
11% Sudanese
9% Somali

The latest local Home Office figures show that 765 people in Blackburn with Darwen were receiving asylum support on 31 March 2026.

In March 2021, the figure was 299.

That is an increase of 466 people, or 156%, in five years.

Of the 765, 751 were in dispersal accommodation and 14 received subsistence-only support. The table recorded no one in contingency accommodation, including hotels, on that date.

Using the population figure in the same Home Office table, Blackburn with Darwen had 47.07 people receiving asylum support for every 10,000 residents.

That is approximately one for every 212 residents.

It is the second-highest rate among England’s 296 local authorities and 3.24 times the England average.

Blackburn with Darwen Council received an Asylum Dispersal Grant of £855,600 for 2025/26, compared with £561,000 the previous year.

That grant is a contribution towards eligible local costs and pressures. It is not a calculation of the complete impact on local public services.

This is happening in a borough ranked the 11th most deprived in England on the latest rank-of-average-rank measure. The same deprivation data shows that 51% of local children aged 0 to 15 live in income-deprived families.

That does not prove asylum support caused deprivation. I am not making that claim.

It does show why a borough facing serious existing pressures should not be expected to carry one of the highest rates in England.

The local figures do not tell us how many of these 765 people arrived by small boat or what their nationalities are. The national percentages cannot honestly be applied to Blackburn with Darwen’s supported population.

What is confirmed is the number receiving support, the 156% increase, the exceptionally high rate per resident and the government grant.

The Home Office and its contracted provider ultimately control asylum accommodation and placements. Conservative governments failed to stop the crossings. Labour has not stopped them either, and the distribution remains badly uneven.

Reform’s published Operation Fortress plan proposes a Royal Navy-led command to intercept small boats and return those aboard to French or Belgian shores.

Operation Restoring Justice proposes identifying, detaining and deporting people with no lawful right to remain.

Blackburn with Darwen should not have to carry more than its fair share.

Secure our borders.

Make asylum decisions promptly.

Remove those with no lawful right to remain.

Put local services and public safety first.

Sources: Home Office immigration statistics, Blackburn with Darwen Council grant records and the English Indices of Deprivation 2025.

20/08/2026

💧 BRANCH ROAD WATER LEAK – UPDATE

A quick update on the water leak on Branch Road, as quite a few residents are continuing to report this to me.

I’ve now spoken with Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service. They’ve looked into it and confirmed that the leak is coming from a fire hydrant, which United Utilities are responsible for maintaining.

They’ve also noticed the fresh spray-paint markings on the road, which I spotted myself. Hopefully this is a sign that some work may be taking place soon – but we’ll see.

The Fire Service are providing me with a contact at United Utilities, and as soon as I have that I’ll be chasing it up directly.

It’s still ongoing, I’m aware of it, and I’ll keep pushing for it to be sorted.

Doing our best and I’ll keep you updated. 👍

20/08/2026

📍 FORMER LONGSHAW CLUB – BRYAN STREET

Quite a few residents have contacted me recently regarding the former Longshaw Club on Bryan Street.

I’m aware there are a number of rumours circulating about the future of the building and the possibility of a planning application being submitted.

At this stage, I’m not going to speculate about what may or may not happen as it’s unclear, just rumours. However, I am listening to the concerns being raised by local residents and I’ll continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

As soon as I have any confirmed information regarding the building or any planning application that may be submitted, I’ll make sure residents are kept updated.

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch. 👍

20/08/2026

📍 PRITCHARD STREET – FLY-TIPPING REPORTED

A resident has been in touch about the alleyways on Pritchard Street, where unfortunately the fly-tipping and dumped rubbish is continuing to get worse.

I’ve reported this to the council and asked for the alleyways to be cleaned up. I’ve also asked that the area is monitored going forward to hopefully prevent it getting back into this state.

Thanks to the resident for bringing it to my attention. 👍

20/08/2026

Labour announced today that they are “protecting our pubs”, saying pubs are integral to our communities and “once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Well, I actually agree with them on that.

But it’s a bit late for some of Blackburn’s pubs.

Blackburn with Darwen has been Labour controlled for years and we’ve already seen former pubs become mosques or Islamic religious centres.

🍺 Seven Trees – now Darussalam Education Centre
🍺 Crescent Hotel, Bank Lane – now an Islamic centre and mosque
🍺 Little Harwood Hotel, Whalley Old Road – now used as a mosque and madrassa
🍺 Hare & Hounds, Lammack Road – permission granted this year to become a place of worship

There are others too.

So when Labour says “once they’re gone, they’re gone”, they’re absolutely right.

Maybe somebody should have told Blackburn Labour that years ago.

Our pubs are part of our communities and once we lose these buildings as pubs, we very rarely get them back.

From a Labour post on Facebook:
“Labour is protecting our pubs. Along with the 20% cut to business rates, pubs across England will received increased protection under new planning restrictions announced today.

These establishments are integral for communities and once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

19/08/2026

What an absolute disgrace.

If the Government believes people entering Britain need a leaflet explaining that R**E IS ILLEGAL, then serious questions need answering about who we are allowing into this country.

Enough is enough. Put the safety of the British public first.