The Lead Digest: Riyadh Comedy Festival and Shabana Mahmood
Our round-up by The Lead's team of what we've been reading, listening to, scrolling and watching each week
Here at The Lead, we like to consume just as much as we create, which is why we spend a little time each week rounding up our favourite stories, books, podcasts and films to offer our readers a sample of the work that informs our world.
Natalie is recommending the new venture from the inimitable Nadine White. After stepping down from her role as the UK’s first dedicated race correspondent at the Independent, I’m really excited to see what she does next. Black Current News is her new platform dedicated to covering stories with Black perspectives front and centre.
Ella found London Centric’s report on the use of ‘host kitchens’ by big name food brands – which sees Deliveroo orders outsourced to chefs at local restaurants – fascinating. It features the very bleak sentiment that a unique taste is less important than a recognisable brand.
Amid all the noise about Riyadh Comedy Festival, including Brit comic Omid Djalilii’s (unintentionally) hilarious defence for taking Saudi money in the Guardian, Helen Lewis actually went and did some reporting for the Atlantic. A fascinating and (intentionally) funny read, says Padraig.
Zoë was on The Bunker podcast this week, along with Home Affairs editor of The Guardian Rajeev Syal. They discussed whether Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could be the next leader of the Labour party.
She also recommends this absolutely vital piece of essential reading from the Financial Times’ Chris Giles, who points out the UK is not facing a welfare crisis. He makes a compelling case that the “6.5 million out of work” narrative is mostly statistical noise, and while disability and pension policy might need reform, there’s no justification for moral panic or talk of “shirkers.”
Luke recommends reading about the closure of 40 St Paul’s in Birmingham. It’s been open a decade, survived a pandemic and was declared the best gin bar in the world in 2019. It really was a wonderful place, but the writing in this piece from I Choose Birmingham’s Tom Cullen will resonate irrespective of whether you’ve been.
Have something you think we’d like to feature? Drop ella@thelead.uk a line and we will consider for inclusion.