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
Friday Jan 26, 2024
015 | 26th January 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Will Rishi Sunak survive until the next GE?
The Daily Telegraph is after him, Simon Clarke is after him, and now a former advisor to the PM is apparently part of a group of Tories who are after him too. Would the Conservatives really give us our fourth prime minister in two years?
The BBC has been in the news again- accused of bias- although the culture minister struggled to give any examples of the Beebs impartiality in an excruciating interview with Skys Kay Burley. Frank asks our former BBC man Jim Hancock if he thinks his former bosses have gone all woke.
And across the pond Donald Trump, 99 indictments and all, looks a cert for the Republican nomination- what will that means for the UK and geopolitics generally, if he goes on and wins the presidency.
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
014 | 19th January 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
In the first Downtown Den Politics podcast of 2024, Frank and Jim discuss the post office scandal, another turbulent week for Rishi Sunak and whether Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister.
Looking further afield than the UK shores, they also ask whether Donald Trump's return to The White House in inevitable?
Monday Dec 18, 2023
013 | 18th December 2023 | U.S. Special
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
In the final Downtown Den Politics Podcast of 2023, Frank is joined by Downtown's U.S. commentator Martin Liptrot.
Martin provides a weekly blog for the DIB website with all the latest news and views from across the pond, so make sure to check that out to keep up to date with all the political and business news from America.
In this episode Frank and Martin look at how the U.S. is performing economically, its views on foreign affairs (including the current issues in Ukraine and the Middle East), how the U.S. views its relationship with the UK and looks ahead to the 2024 Presidential Election.
Enjoy this final episode of 2023.
Monday Dec 04, 2023
012 | 4th December 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
In the final edition of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank and Jim reflect on the year in politics and highlight their winners and losers over the past 12 months.
They also discuss the Rishi Sunak's last minute meeting cancellation with the Greek Prime Minister and Keir Starmer's subsequent Prime Minister's questions battering.
But it hasn't all been plain sailing for the leader of the opposition, with his remarks about Margaret Thatcher over the weekend.
Enjoy the final Downtown Den Politics Podcast of 2023.
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
011 | 28th November 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
The government bought themselves some respite and some positive headlines in the Tory press with a tax cutting autumn statement last week. However, the New Conservatives, as the new model rebels have labelled themselves, were back on the warpath 24 hours later, as the latest immigration figures were released. Is it time for ‘grown up politicians’ to come clean about migration - or is it inevitable that the issue will simply be used as a political football between now and the GE?
This the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast with Frank McKenna and Jim Hancock.
Monday Nov 20, 2023
010 | 20th November 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
This week Frank and Jim discuss the explosive resignation letter from Suella Braverman, the internal warfare of the Conservative party, Keir Starmer's Middle East crisis and look ahead to the Chancellor's upcoming budget on Wednesday.
And finally... Frank has an impassioned rant at the Premier League following the 10 point deduction handed to Everton for breaching financial rules.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
009 | 14th November 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
If many of us were expecting the sacking of Suella Braverman, then it would be fair to say that nobody had predicted the return of former PM David ‘just call me Dave’ Cameron to the cabinet. A bold and brilliant master stroke by Rishi Sunak - or a misguided miscalculation which will do him more harm than good? And what of the other changes at the top table of government? The new health minister is married to the MD of British sugar, the new man at environment to a senior executive at Anglian water, and our old friend Esther McVey is back to add a dose of ‘common sense’ to proceedings - will this new look Tory team start to eat into Labours huge poll lead - or is Rishi toast? Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics podcast, with Frank McKenna and Downtown political commentator Jim Hancock...
Monday Nov 13, 2023
008 | 13th November 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Jim and Frank reflect on the sacking of Suella Braverman and the imminent cabinet reshuffle, as David Cameron makes a dramatic return to the government. Also, have the internal machinations of the Tory Party allowed Keir Starmer and Labour off the hook this week – as they too were challenged with internal divisions over the Middle East conflict.