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.
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

Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025
1hr 12 min
Keir Starmers latest reset has not gone according to plan. But has the PM turned the crisis into an opportunity?
Is the BBC determined to see Nigel Farage become prime minister or are Chris Mason and Laura Kuenssberg simply crap journalists?
And should five armed police officers be deployed to arrest an unfunny comedy writer for posting an offensive social media post?
This is the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
DIB Events Programme- https://downtowninbusiness.com/events/

Sep 1, 2025
EP.109 | Labour's Summer of Silence
Sep 1, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
1hr 17 min
Why has the government been absent without leave over the summer, leaving the way clear for Nigel Farage to dominate the headlines?
Can Keir Starmer’s latest reset revive Labour’s fortunes?
And is the United States sleepwalking into dictatorship?
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast
DIB Events Programme- https://downtowninbusiness.com/events/

Aug 18, 2025
Aug 18, 2025
1hr 1 min
Donald Trump treated us to the spectacle of the red carpet treatment for Vladimir Putin last week, but how will Zelensky be received by the US President today?
We will also be talking about the future of the Tory Party and the economy in this week's Downtown Den Politics Podcast...

Aug 12, 2025
EP.107 | In Conversation with Dame Louise Ellman
Aug 12, 2025
Aug 12, 2025
1hr 37 min
DIB Boss, Frank McKenna, caught up with Dame Louise Ellman in the Downtown Den.
Louise was Leader of Lancashire County Council from 1981 until 1997, when she become MP for Liverpool Riverside until 2019.
In this episode, Frank and Louise chat about her time leading Lancashire and being an MP, and her most difficult job of all, being Frank McKenna's boss.

Aug 11, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
1hr 5 min
An interest rate cut may have given Chancellor Rachel Reeves a little respite this week, but an independent economic report suggests that she has a £50 billion hole to fill if she's to hit her own fiscal targets. What options does she have?
On the international stage the grotesque scenes in Gaza continue, with Israeli President Netanyahu promising an escalation of activities. While Donald Trump is set to meet Vladimir Putin this week in Alaska, is a deal to end the Ukraine conflict in sight?
Frank, Jim and Jo discuss it all in this week's Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Aug 4, 2025
EP.105 | NHS Strikes - A win for Wes?
Aug 4, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
1hr 20 min
NHS strikes VAT on private healthcare, the Online Safety Act, Trump tariffs and Epstein, Gaza and Palestine.
Frank, Jim and Jo discuss it all in this week's Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Jul 28, 2025
EP.104 | Doctors Dispute Drama
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
54 min
With Frank still away, Jim, Jo, and Kevin tackle the doctors dispute and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to ban strikes. They’ll also weigh up the likelihood of serious disorder during the hot summer nights around asylum hotels.
Will the UK follow France in recognising Palestine? And if it does, what does that really mean with Gaza in ruins and thousands of Israeli settlers occupying the West Bank?
Plus, a big congratulations to the Lionesses on their thrilling Euros victory!

Jul 21, 2025
Jul 21, 2025
1hr 6 min
With Frank and Jim away, Jo and Kevin take charge of this week’s Downtown Den Politics, unpacking the latest developments from Westminster and beyond.
They discuss a critical report into British water companies, growing calls to lower the voting age, the mysterious Afghan super injunction, and Keir Starmer’s suspension of rebel MPs, including Diane Abbott.





