The Downtown Den Politics Podcast

EP.126 | 2025 Review

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 lead in the polls for the last 12 months.
Sixteen year olds have been given the right to vote and many of them will see the new Green Party Leader, Zack Polanski as their champion, whilst the Liberal Democrats and Ed Davey have continued to progress, winning more council seats this year than any other party.
Recent months have seen a more polished and professional Kemi Badenoch, give the official opposition a boost, however the Tories are still languishing in the polls and know there is a long way to go before they can claim to be a genuine alternative government.
On the international stage, Donald Trump began his second presidential term after a four year interlude, and it's been a wild ride that most anticipated. Tariffs, the Epstein files, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the election of the first Muslim governor in the US, the drive-by on Zelensky by JD Vance in the Oval Office and splits in the MAGA movement that have seen Trump fall out with Elon Musk and Marjorie Taylor Greene, are only the edited highlights and low lights from the orange ones first 12 months in office.
Elsewhere in geopolitics, the Middle East still simmers, the Ukraine war continues to rage and despite victories for progressives in Germany and Canada, the feeling remains that liberal democracy is in retreat as right wing populists continue to gain momentum.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, that is going to try and makes sense of what has been a turbulent year in the world of politics.

EP.125 | Can Keir Hold On?

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 Tory party kick on in the New Year and be seen as a potential government once again?
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

EP.124 | Donations, Defections, Drama

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 Pat McFadden outlining some changes he wishes to introduce as the welfare and pensions minister next year.

EP.123 | Budget for Benefit Street?

Today on the Downtown Den, it’s just Frank and Jim as they discuss Rachel Reeves’ budget, Kemi Badenoch’s response, and Your Party's Conference in Liverpool.
Read Frank's blog hereRead Jim's blog here

EP.122 | Chaos Within: Budget Week Begins

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.

EP.121 | Pre-Budget Shambles

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 Crime Commissioners.

EP.120 | BBC: A Mismanagement of a Mini Crisis

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.
Read Jo Phillip's latest blog - And So It Begins...

EP.119 | Reeves, Royalty & Racism

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!