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

May 5, 2025
EP.86 | Is the Two-Party system dead?
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
1hr 25 min
A great night for Reform. A good night for the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. A bad night for Labour, a catastrophic evening for the Conservatives.
Frank, Jim and Jo take a look back at last Thursday's UK polls, as well as casting their eyes internationally and seeing what's been happening in Canada, Australia and Romania.
Listen to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com

Apr 28, 2025
Apr 28, 2025
1hr 16 min
Have UK politicians ever been as unpopular? Maybe we'll find out on Thursday when we go to local and mayoral polls and a by election in Runcorn. But whether you're Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer or Kemi Badenoch, the polls do not make for healthy reading.
And Donald Trump is about to celebrate, if that's the right word, his first hundred days in office. We'll be reflecting on what that has been like for the Americans, but also for the rest of the world.
Listen to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com

Apr 14, 2025
EP.84 | Headlines are the Currency
Apr 14, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
1hr 13 min
The Business genius that is Donald Trump sent the global economy into turmoil this week, with his unfathomable 'Hokey Cokey' tariffs policy, with literally trillions wiped from stocks and shares.
As the markets got to use to the President's technical term - a bit yippy - the supreme deal maker blinked, backed down, and exposed himself as the arse of the deal.
Even as the odds of a US recession go from 20% to 60%, his acolytes and the sycophants around him try to suggest this was all 'part of the plan' - but the reality is that this was a disaster for the economy and a setback for Trump. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the UK Government recalled parliament in an attempt to save the UK's steel making capability, and the re-nationalisation of the industry is looking increasingly likely.
With the backdrop of the industries under threat, trade wars, and the schizophrenic approach to policy from the White House - will Rachel Reeves feel able to finally remove the fiscal straight jacket she has put herself in?
Listen to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Apr 7, 2025
EP.83 | Trumps mean spirited tariffs
Apr 7, 2025
Apr 7, 2025
1hr 7 min
What do Russia, North Korea, Belarus and Cuba have in common?
They have all been spared Donald Trumps tariffs.
From Canada to the Canary’s, Poland to penguins, the rest of the international community has suffered from a tax hike of eye watering proportions.
So, what can the government here do about it - indeed how can economies around the world respond?
This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com
Pod Save America - www.crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america

Mar 31, 2025
EP.82 | Unpicking the Spring Statement
Mar 31, 2025
Mar 31, 2025
1hr 8 min
Rachel Reeves' Spring statement. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Erdoğan in Türkiye. Marine Le Pen in France.
Much for Frank, Jim and Jo to reflect upon in this week's Downtown and Politics podcast.
To read Frank's latest blog CLICK HERE.
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com

Mar 24, 2025
EP.81 | Is the UK infrastructure creaking?
Mar 24, 2025
Mar 24, 2025
55 min
In today's podcast, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips preview Rachel Reeves Spring Statement and look abroad at the troubled scenes in Ukraine, Gaza and now Türkiye.
Welcome to this week's Downtown and Politics podcast.
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com

Mar 17, 2025
EP.80 | Have Labour gone from woke to Reform?
Mar 17, 2025
Mar 17, 2025
1hr 10 min
NHS reform, welfare reform, MIPIM and Adolescence.
Welcome to this week's Downtown and Politics podcast.
Watch Jo Phillips on GB News every Tuesday from 7pm-8pm!
For more information about DIB visit downtowninbusiness.com

Mar 10, 2025
079 | Will the US collude with Russia?
Mar 10, 2025
Mar 10, 2025
50 min
As Frank McKenna struggles with internet issues in the South of France, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips discuss the last seven days in the world of politics.
Discussed this week are: the latest developments around Ukraine, a new Canadian PM and the latest from the UK, including a good week for Keir Starmer and a bad week for Nigel Farage.
Stay tuned for the end as Jim and Jo's review the film September 5.
This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.
Watch Jo Phillips on GB News every Tuesday from 7pm-8pm!





