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.
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Episodes
Friday May 24, 2024
Friday May 24, 2024
With an exquisite sense of timing Downtown's Managing Director and chair of the Downtown Den podcast is not here. While Rishi Sunak was getting drenched in Downing Street announcing the General Election, our Frank was getting ready to slap on the sun cream in Florida.
So in the absence of Florida Frank it is left to Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips to comment on the opening of the campaign and asking why the Prime Minister did it.
Welcome to the latest Downtown Den politics podcast.
Monday May 20, 2024
Monday May 20, 2024
Prime ministers pledges, porn stars and polls. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den politics podcast.
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Monday May 13, 2024
Monday May 13, 2024
A controversial defection from the Tories to Labour, an upturn in the economy, and a new, old leader for the SNP. Plus, could global conflict actually be good news for the Conservatives electoral chances? Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.
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Monday May 06, 2024
Monday May 06, 2024
After a flying visit to Tees Valley, where Ben Houchen had secured another term as Tory mayor, the prime minister went to bed on Friday evening dreaming of a similar success for Andy Street in the West Midlands- and there were even rumours that the Conservatives could steal an unlikely victory in London!
However, less than 24 hours later, Rishi Sunak’s dreams had turned to dust. Sadiq Khan won an historic third term in the capital - and Labours Richard Parker had narrowly defeated Street in Birmingham.
Combined with the loss of almost 500 council seats, and a huge reversal in the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election, by Sunday morning the PM was waking up to a lecture from Suella Braverman.
Two sleeps is a long time in politics...
What next for Sunak and the Tory Party?
Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics podcast.
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
On Thursday (2nd May 2024), voters in England go to the polls to elect more than 2600 councillors and ten metro mayors, in what will be the last set of local elections and mayoral contests before the general election. If things go very badly for the Tories, then Rishi Sunak's leadership will once again be called into question by a sizable minority of conservative MPs at Westminster.
Welcome to the latest Downtown Politics podcast.
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Another one bites the dust- accused of embezzling party campaign funds, Lancashire MP Mark Menzies has resigned the Tory whip and announced that he will not be standing at the next General Election. Why are so many of our parliamentarians being caught up in bizarre scandals these days?
And, with just over a week to go before a crucial set of local and mayoral elections, we take a look ahead to the London contest - could Sadiq Khan be under more pressure than commentators think? Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den politics podcast...
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
999 indictments against him, an insurrection that he arguably led back in 2020 and a fear that he is closer to Putin than NATO, yet it is the issue of abortion that may, just may derail Donald Trumps presidential candidacy- what is the state of the Biden/Trump race at the moment?
Closer to home, the local election campaigns are well underway- but what state is local government in England in? - And the Angela Rayner saga has gone to another level this week- how much trouble is Labours Deputy leader in? Welcome to the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Birmingham City Council went bust last year. The government commissioners are in, and they have announced a 9-point improvement plan. We’ll be looking at that, and reflecting on some of the personalities who have been part of the collateral damage, as one of the biggest local authorities in Europe fell foul of new equal rights legislation, austerity- and no doubt some mismanagement too.
Elsewhere in the West Midlands Andy Street seems to be fighting to retain his mayority by disassociating himself from the Tory party- is the tactic working?
William Wragg and Angela Rayner- now there’s two names in ever thought I’d be uttering in the same sentence. However, both have found themselves in a bit of trouble this week. Can they survive their respective controversies. And, Easter break or not, the polls kept coming- and the results were more fair trade chocolate than cadburys for Rishi Sunak. Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.
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