Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna

Northern Spin

Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna are Northern-based political commentators and co-hosts of the Northern Spin podcast. Maguire is an award-winning journalist and Executive Editor of BusinessCloud, while McKenna is Chief Executive and Group Chairman of Downtown in Business. Launched in 2022, Northern Spin was created to give the North a stronger voice - cutting through Westminster noise with sharp analysis of politics, business and media from a distinctly Northern perspective. Now, as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham battles to win the Makerfield by-election — and positions himself for a pot...

Author

Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna

Category

Government

Podcast website

rss.com

Latest episode

Jun 22, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 8: Press Freedom Under Attack and Beware of Grifters 04.04.2023

This week the ‘Carlos Tevez of business journalism’ and Chris discuss the world’s worst photo shoot for a PM and politicians getting crabby with the press. PLUS: Cricket’s big racism row

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 7: Locked horns, is Sunak beating Starmer? 28.03.2023

This week Michael and Chris have taken the gloves off and properly slug it out over Starmer, Sunak and GB News. Also, a look ahead to the Northern battlegrounds in the upcoming local elections. PLUS: why new adaptation of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice is a warning from history.

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 6: Burnham's devo boost, while Johnson faces truth 22.03.2023

All eyes looked North last week as the deeper devo deal put Greater Manchester into a new era. Plus: Michael and Chris pick apart Boris Johnson's defence and explain why Suella Braverman only invited client journalists on to her Rwanda trip.

Northern Spin Extra: Budget special with economist Nicola Headlam 16.03.2023

It’s been described as Jeremy Hunt’s ‘Back to work Budget’ but will it get the British economy going at long last? Economist Nicola Headlam from Red Flag Alerts joins Michael and Chris for a special analysis of the Budget and what it might mean for the North.

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 5: Cruella Braverman, Gary Lineker and compassion 14.03.2023

As the BBC sways one way and the other over Gary Lineker, Northern Spin looks on as the Tories get nasty again. Also, Chris Maguire accuses Michael Taylor of letting Andy Burnham off the hook, there's a lament for Oi Polloi, and insight on what the rescue of Silicon Valley Bank means for the Northern tech scene.

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 4: Heroes or villains? 08.03.2023

Season 3 - Episode 4: Heroes or villains? Michael and Chris discuss the case for and against Isabel Oakeshott and Sue Gray

Northern Spin Extra: Naomi Timperley talks Ukraine, Dragons’ Den and Steven Bartlett 03.03.2023

Northern Spin Extra: Naomi Timperley talks Ukraine, Dragons’ Den and Steven Bartlett

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 3: Starmer’s Missionary Position, Sunak’s Big Gamble and the Politics of Football 28.02.2023

Season 3, episode 3 of Northern Spin looks at Starmer’s missionary position, Sunak’s big gamble the loathsome Boris Johnson and why Man United’s cup win matters

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 2: Sturgeon, Labour's Invisible Shadow Cabinet and Steven Bartlett 21.02.2023

Northern Spin looks at what Nicola Sturgeon's departure means for northern politics, and what the decline in local newspapers teaches us about accountability and trust

Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 1: Political integrity - RIP 15.02.2023

Michael and Chris discuss the best and worst of modern politics and journalism

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 10 - Comedy Double Act Truss and Corbyn Return 07.02.2023

Michael and Chris finally find something to agree about as former PM Liz Truss and ex Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn make comebacks.

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 9 - Inside the Convention of the North 31.01.2023

During Rishi Sunak's worst week Michael and Chris take you on a view behind the scenes at the Convention of the North and point out which northerners used it to go "on manoeuvres".

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 8 - Blocked and shocked! 24.01.2023

Fresh from the studios of the BBC Michael and Chris return to pick apart the levelling up bids and discuss a few politicians 'on manoeuvres'. Who could block this? Someone has!

BETTER BUSINESS SUMMIT SPECIAL 20.01.2023

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Better Business Summit, Michael and Chris talk to Hannah Cox from the summit about her mission to make business a force for good.

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 7 - A Love Letter to Good Journalism 18.01.2023

A new logo, a new sponsor, but just the same razor sharp analysis of politics and Northern life from Michael and Chris.

Northern Spin - Season 2 - episode 6. QUIZ TIME 10.01.2023

Michael’s unhealthy knowledge of all things Labour reaches new levels while Chris names the Tory MPs ‘on manoeuvres’

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 5: 2022 review. 20.12.2022

Chris and Michael reflect on an unprecedented year of 4 Chancellors, 3 PMs, and 2 monarchs

Northern Spin Extra - Special guest, Elise Wilson 15.12.2022

Refreshingly smart, naturally funny, very down to earth and French. As Labour council leader Elise Wilson made Stockport comfortable around the Greater Manchester table. But what's next?

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 4: STRIKE OUT 14.12.2022

Michael and Chris discuss the growing industrial action; Labour cosies up to business; and a date with Stockport's Blossoms.

Northern Spin Extra - Special guest, Vimla Appadoo 08.12.2022

Facing up to racism, affordable childcare and becoming the UK’s first female Asian PM

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 3: Browned Off 06.12.2022

Gordon Brown’s devolution plans; Northern anger grows at rail chaos; Tories get Chester ‘pelting’

Northern Spin LIVE - Power to the People 02.12.2022

Michael and Chris held their first live event at The People’s Powerhouse, which is committed to creating a better and more equal North.

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 2: Bras, Burnham & Boycotts 29.11.2022

This week’s Northern Spin asks: Have the Conservatives turned their back on Levelling Up? Why are so many Tories quitting politics? and Is Andy Burnham set to return to Westminster?

Northern Spin Extra - Special Guest, Economist Nicola Headlam 24.11.2022

How Boris Johnson broke the Northern Powerhouse, and other insights

Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 1: 'It’s All Kicking Off’ 22.11.2022

‘It’s all kicking off’ As a new season of Northern Spin starts, Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire discuss the Autumn Statement, councils face cash crisis, World Cup and is art coming home to Manchester?

Listen to the Northern Spin podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.