The Downtown Den Politics Podcast
The Downtown Den politics podcast is a weekly commentary on all the latest news from the world of politics. Hosted by Downtown in Business CEO and Group Chairman, Frank McKenna and Downtown’s Political Editor Jim Hancock with regular guests from across the political spectrum.
Episodes
Iran has a new Ayatollah, but is it simply a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss? With Mojtaba Khamenei stepping into power, questions are growing about whether the US will step back from the conflict or escalate further.
As fuel prices rise and the economic impact of the war begins to bite, what does it mean for global stability and the UK’s political landscape? Jo Phillips, joins Jim Hancock to discuss the implication...
In the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Martin Liptrot discuss the latest Middle East crisis and the implications for Geo-Politics.
And closer to home they discuss the Green Party's vistory in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Keir Starmer survived what felt like a near-death experience for his premiership before hopping on a plane to Germany for the Munich Security Conference.
In this episode, we unpack how the Prime Minister navigated another turbulent week, what saved him politically, and what the fallout could mean in the weeks ahead.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
It has been a challenging week for Keir Starmer, with growing pressure surrounding his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson. Can his leadership endure?
Find out in the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
All the candidates have been selected for the Gorton and Denton by-election. In this episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Frank, Jim and Jo, preview what the final outcome of that particular contest may be.
They also be look at the fallout from The Epstein Files and Keir Starmer's trip to China, whilst telling you all about DIB's latest visit to Parliament and the Hospitality and Visitor Economy campaign.
This is the lates...
Plenty to has happened in the world of politics in the last seven days. And with too much to fit into one podcast, this week, Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips, focus on the BIG talking points from the past week.
Does Keir Starmer and the Labour Party fear Andy Burnham? Will there be a comeback for Andy Street? Should Andy Street and Ruth Davidson join the Liberal Democrats?
Plenty of theories and topics to discuss.
And th...
With political defections and American invasions, there is not much to cheer you up on this bluest of Blue Mondays, but we will do our best…
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast
View Best for Britain's 'Reform UK Defection Tracker'
Read Jim's latest blog here.
Happy belated New Year and welcome back to the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. We barely stepped away and the world went straight back to chaos with international tensions involving Iran Venezuela and Ukraine.
Closer to home we look at political U-turns including the government reversal on business rates for pubs. We also spotlight the Downtown in Business and Liverpool Business Improvement District campaign pushing for real support...
In this special episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank, Jim and Jo, look back on some of the highlights from their involvement with politics throughout the years, answer listeners questions and put together their Fantasy Cabinets.
They look back at what they got right and wrong in their 2025 predictions, and share their predictions for 2026.
We hope you are all having a wonderful festive period and we will be back in 20...
Rachel Reeves tears at PMQ's, the resignation of the deputy prime minister, the huge losses in the local elections and constant speculation about Keir Starmer's future as leader, 2025 has been an annus horribilis for the Labour Party.
On the up, has been Nigel Farage and Reform UK winning control of councils, parliamentary by-elections and attracting a slew of Tory defectors, the right wing populist party has maintained a healthy l...
With the Sunday papers predicting a return to Westminster for Andy Burnham, Shabana Mahmood doing the keynote interview at the annual Tony Blair Christmas gig, and Wes Streeting featuring as the main interview in the New Statesman’s final issue of the year, what can Keir Starmer do to stop the speculation about his leadership?
Twelve months ago it was Kemi Badenoch who was under pressure; how has she turned this around, and can the...
It’s been a mixed week for Nigel Farage and Reform: a record-busting £9 million donation, plus defections from the Conservative Party. But that, combined with some controversial comments Nigel Farage was allegedly making back in his days at Dulwich College, has perhaps made it a more tetchy week for the Reform leader than he has had in the past.
Meanwhile, the Government has turned its attention to welfare reform once again, with P...
After an interminable wait, we finally get the Chancellor's budget this week. We will also be talking about Shabana Mahmood's new immigration proposals, a possible Ukraine peace deal, and the results of the COVID-19 Inquiry.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Jim, Jo and Kevin discuss the shambolic run-up to the Budget, with persistent challenges to the Prime Minister’s leadership still far from over - forming the main agenda items for this week’s Downtown Den podcast.
They also look at the Home Secretary’s latest attempts to get a grip on immigration, ask whether the BBC should be spending your money appeasing Donald Trump, and reflect on the surprising decision to scrap Police and Cri...
With Frank and Jim absent this week, the dream team of Jo Phillips and Kevin Johnson takes the reigns on the Downtown in Business Politics podcast for this episode.
Up for discussion this week is the BBC's latest crisis, Deputy Prime Minsister David Lammy's PMQ's appearance, Rachel Reeves' pre budget scene setter speech and are there any point in COPs?
This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Britain's got a racism problem. It's not creeping back, it's marching flag in hand, and far too many in public life are either turning a blind eye or quietly egging it on.
Frank, Jim, Jo and Kevin discuss the country's racism problem, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the Chancellor's housing issue, and reflect on Kemi Badenoch's one year as leader of the Tories.
Read Jim Hancock's latest blog - Put up income tax and be done with it!
This week, Lucy Powell was elected as the new deputy leader of the Labour Party, there was a big investment summit that took place in Birmingham, and Sarah Pochin, the Reform MP in Runcorn, got herself into some difficulties over some unfortunate comments.
We will be discussing all that and more on this week’s episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
It’s coming up to the first anniversary of Donald Trump 2.0, there is certainly much to talk about and who better to catch up with what is happening across the pond in the United States than our man Martin Liptrot.
This is a special edition of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Read Martin's Blog HERE
The government has continued to find itself embroiled in a row over Chinese spies, the West Midlands Police have banned Tel Aviv supporters from an Aston Villa European game. And the Green Party's Zack Polanski has impressed.
In this week's podcast we also do a special Question Time.
This is the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
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