Nine days ago I launched @ActuallyEng from zero. Digital-native, ground level political journalism. TikTok-ready content. So far, purely organically: → 5M views → 11,000 followers Covering: → Southampton protests → Makerfield by-election build-up There’s an audience hungry to hear what people actually think. I’m just getting started.

Please Restore Family, go give these guy's a follow. They was hard at it getting interviews today in Makerfield. They are proper grass root's press & need an Easy Ian boost. Thanks in advance. @ActuallyEng

A message from @RupertLowe10 to the voters of Makerfield. @RestoreBritain

Whilst we didn’t come across any Labour presence in pubs or on high streets, when we did encounter their activists they were in residential areas speaking with residents. Their HQ showed signs of a well-oiled campaign machine. Many campaigners from all over the country.

Had the pleasure of meeting lots of @RestoreBritain activists in Makerfield today, plus @RupertLowe10! Lots of great chats with great people, some will be on @ActuallyEng TikTok over the coming days.

In a pub in Hindley, locals saying Rupert Lowe came in for a photo op earlier but didn’t stay long as got a bad reception. This pub community is decisively Reform. Interesting.

Interviewed ‘Reform Watch’ who told me Reform are ‘a far right party’ then crossed the street and interviewed a Restore activist who told me ‘Reform aren’t a right wing party’. What a day

Peep the @ActuallyEng mic in the background

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve only seen 1 Reform activist in Ashton-in-Makerfield today. Where are they all?

Wow! Defence Secretary John Healey has just resigned!!

Main takeaways after first day in Makerfield: - vape shops are the main industry - High streets are the most desolate I’ve seen - Facebook is the go-to place for news and information - Robert Kenyon’s ‘sexist’ comments are seen as a hitjob by career politicians - They HATE career politicians - Robert Kenyon’s ‘sexist’ comments win him support and they make him seem extra human - Their ideal politician is an imperfect person who answers questions, speaks the truth, and is straight with the electorate - A lot of people HATE Andy Burnham - They see Andy’s only real ‘success’ being the buses, but by and large they don’t really care and they don’t think it’s changed many people’s lives - The area was ‘stunning’ as recently as five years ago but been left to rot by 100 years of Labour rule - Immigration isn’t a major issue locally - Labour have completely lost the working people here, vowing ‘never again’, very negative comments about Starmer, Reeves, Rayner, and more - They’re desperate for change, citing not many years left until the country is irreparable

The Summer of ‘26 could be one for the ages

And as I’ve been saying, it once again doesn’t say how Andy Burnham plans to improve Ashton. In fact, it doesn’t even say he’ll improve it at all.

Call me old fashioned but I preferred our country before Somalians started trying to behead people in the street.

In this BBC News debate between Makerfield by-election candidates, Andy Burnham has two stock responses to EVERYTHING: Good thing = this is because of me being Manchester Mayor Bad thing = this is because of Conservative government 2010-2024

🚨 in every London Borough………