The Downtown Den Politics Podcast

007 | 7th November 2023

The latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast with Frank McKenna and Jim Hancock discusses the spate of resignations in the Labour party, the PM's AI summit and another challenging week for him. There's also a discussion on who will be the next U.S. President.

006 | 30th October 2023

In this episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast, Frank and Jim reflect on one year of Rishi Sunak's premiership and further controveries for the Tory Party. They also discuss Boris Johnson's new job on GB News, Labour's stance on the Middle East conflict and will Jeremy Corbyn run for the London Mayor's role?

005 | 23rd October 2023

In this episode Frank and Jim discuss the COVID19 enquiry, reflect on Rishi Sunak's cancellation of HS2 and its implications for the Northern Powerhouse and analyse the Tamworth and Mid-Befordshire by-election results.
And finally... Frank has a rant about the future of football.

004 | 20th October 2023 | Emergency Podcast

EMERGENCY PODCAST: Jim and Frank reflect on last night’s by-election results in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire, where Labour secured stunning victories over the Conservatives. Is Keir Starmer on course to win next year’s General Election, or can Rishi Sunak turn his party’s fortunes around over the next twelve months?

003 | 17th October 2023

This week Frank and Jim look back at Labours conference in Liverpool, reflect on the SNPs gathering at the weekend, and look ahead to two by elections that take place on Thursday. They also consider the tragic events that continue to escalate in the Middle East.

002 | 9th October 2023

In episode two of the Downtown Den politics podcast, Jim and Frank look back on the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, preview Labours annual gathering in Liverpool, and reflect on the by-election gain made by Labour in Scotland last week.

001 | 2nd October 2023

Welcome to Downtown in Business’ new podcast ‘The Downtown Den Politics Podcast’ with Frank McKenna, and political commentator Jim Hancock.
Frank was a politician for twelve years before setting up DIB, described at the time as “the most influential politician in the Northwest.” As Downtown’s group chair and CEO he has engaged with the UKs leading decision-makers at local, national, and regional level for two decades.
Jim has been a political journalist since the 1970’s and has worked for national and regional broadcasters covering every major political story since the days of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership. He is DIBs political commentator, and his weekly political blog features in Downtown’s TFI bulletin.
In this first episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank and Jim discuss this weeks Conservative Party conference, look ahead to Labour’s gathering in Liverpool next week, and also talk HS2, the Liberal Democrat conference, and the American Presidential election which takes place next year.

Pilot | By Elections July 2023

DIBs political Editor Jim Hancock and Frank McKenna analyse the July 2023 by election results – and find out who were the winners and losers.