The Downtown Den Politics Podcast

EP. 144 | Starmer, Streeting or Burnham?

In this weeks episode, Jo and Jim look back on the last week in politics and discuss the possibilities of a potential Labour leadership change.

EP. 143 | Has Labour Forgotten How to Do Politics?

Less than two years after its landslide victory, Labour appears hesitant and politically outmanoeuvred by Reform UK.
As Reform dominates the media narrative and Labour struggles to fight back, questions are growing over whether Keir Starmer has the political instincts needed to regain control of the national conversation.

EP.142 | Ballot Box Test

We turn now to the biggest test of public opinion between general elections, with full elections taking place in Scotland and Wales, as well as across all London boroughs, Birmingham and many other places across the country. It’s a big test for the Prime Minister, and for Reform UK, raising the question of whether Reform has peaked, while other parties and voters across the political spectrum also make their voices heard. 
We also look at the rise in antisemitism and its wider implications, alongside the success of King Charles III in the USA.

EP. 141 | Starmer on the Brink

Publications from the left, right and centre agree that Keir Starmer has been, to put it kindly, underwhelming as prime minister.
They all conclude that the only reason he is currently surviving at No.10 is because Labour can’t agree on an alternative.
The left of the party are scared of Wes Streeting. The right are scared of Angela Rayner. The country is scared of Ed Miliband. 
Meanwhile, Labour’s most popular retail politician, Andy Burnham, is ineligible for the job, sitting, as he does, in Manchester rather than Westminster.
Following another damaging week and further fallout from the Peter Mandelson debacle, the chances of Starmer hanging on post the May elections seem remote.
However, Labour’s inability to unite around a single alternative candidate means that a challenge to Starmer’s leadership could be messy - for the party, but more importantly for the country.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast...

EP.140 | Strait Trouble for Trump

In this week’s episode of the Downtown Den, we unpack rising tensions in the Middle East as Donald Trump escalates threats over the Strait of Hormuz following failed negotiations, and what it could mean for global stability.
We also look at political change in Hungary as Viktor Orbán loses his grip on power after 16 years, and closer to home, what the local election campaigns could mean for Labour, the Conservatives, and the future of towns and cities across the UK.

EP. 139 | Trump, Tensions & Taking Off

With growing questions over President Trump’s fitness for office amid the Iran crisis, we ask whether his unpredictable style is becoming a real concern.
Back in the UK, cost of living support has kicked in but will the government get any credit as local elections approach? Not if the resident doctors have anything to say about it.
And as the Artemis moon mission makes headlines, are we forgetting to look after our own planet?
Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Martin Liptrot join the Downtown Den for a sharp, straight talking discussion.

EP 138 | The Cost of Conflict

Is it peace talks going well, or are we about to see American troops invading parts of Iran? All of that remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is the serious economic consequences heading our way.
We are already noticing the rising cost of petrol, and so are farmers, facing soaring fertiliser prices. A war involving Iran could blow out of the water any hope of economic prosperity for years to come.
So what does that mean for our domestic politics? The conflict has also exposed our pitiful lack of defence, but are we really prepared for the welfare cuts needed to pay for rearmament?

EP. 137 | Starmer’s Political Tightrope

As the Iranian conflict continues, absolute chaos starts to emerge as far as the economy is concerned. Keir Starmer is still walking the tightrope to deal with a very erratic President Donald Trump, and domestically he is having to face challenges from his own party, including his former deputy leader Angela Rayner. We will be discussing this and much more on this week’s Downtown Den Politics Podcast.