The Downtown Den Politics Podcast

This week’s Downtown Den Politics podcast is somewhat of an unusual one because, as we sat down to record, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation. We reflect on that breaking news and what it means for the future of British politics. We also look back on the phenomenal win for Andy Burnham in Makerfield, as well as the Conservatives’ first by-election victory in 50 years. 

In this week's Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Jim Hancock is joined by Martin Liptrot and Jo Phillips to discuss the key political stories of the week. With voters heading to the polls in the Makerfield by-election, the panel considers what the result could mean for the government and opposition parties alike. They also reflect on the resignation of Defence Minister John Healey and debate the gove...

In this week’s Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Frank, Jim and Jo discuss the political implications of the tragic murder of Henry Nowak and what it could mean for the wider political landscape. They also preview the upcoming Makerfield by-election, examining the key issues, candidates and potential impact of the result, as well as discussing the special election edition of Question Time.

Tony Blair has waded into the political debate, claiming the Government lacks vision, leadership and a clear plan. Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting were quick to push back, but did their responses actually prove Blair's point? We also take a look at the latest from the crucial Makerfield by election and discuss Compass's proposal for a coalition of progressive parties. Is it a serious route to power...

From the latest corruption controversy in Scotland to the growing influence of Reform UK, this week Frank Mckenna is joined by Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips to discuss the biggest political stories of the week and ask whether Andy Burnham or Keir Starmer is best placed to lead Labour’s future.   Register for our Parliamentary Reception HERE    

In this weeks episode, Jo and Jim look back on the last week in politics and discuss the possibilities of a potential Labour leadership change.

Less than two years after its landslide victory, Labour appears hesitant and politically outmanoeuvred by Reform UK. As Reform dominates the media narrative and Labour struggles to fight back, questions are growing over whether Keir Starmer has the political instincts needed to regain control of the national conversation.

We turn now to the biggest test of public opinion between general elections, with full elections taking place in Scotland and Wales, as well as across all London boroughs, Birmingham and many other places across the country. It’s a big test for the Prime Minister, and for Reform UK, raising the question of whether Reform has peaked, while other parties and voters across the political spectrum also...

Publications from the left, right and centre agree that Keir Starmer has been, to put it kindly, underwhelming as prime minister. They all conclude that the only reason he is currently surviving at No.10 is because Labour can’t agree on an alternative. The left of the party are scared of Wes Streeting. The right are scared of Angela Rayner. The country is scared of Ed Miliband.  Meanwhile, Labour’...

In this week’s episode of the Downtown Den, we unpack rising tensions in the Middle East as Donald Trump escalates threats over the Strait of Hormuz following failed negotiations, and what it could mean for global stability. We also look at political change in Hungary as Viktor Orbán loses his grip on power after 16 years, and closer to home, what the local election campaigns could mean for Labour...

With growing questions over President Trump’s fitness for office amid the Iran crisis, we ask whether his unpredictable style is becoming a real concern. Back in the UK, cost of living support has kicked in but will the government get any credit as local elections approach? Not if the resident doctors have anything to say about it. And as the Artemis moon mission makes headlines, are we forgetting...

Is it peace talks going well, or are we about to see American troops invading parts of Iran? All of that remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is the serious economic consequences heading our way. We are already noticing the rising cost of petrol, and so are farmers, facing soaring fertiliser prices. A war involving Iran could blow out of the water any hope of economic prosperity for years...

As the Iranian conflict continues, absolute chaos starts to emerge as far as the economy is concerned. Keir Starmer is still walking the tightrope to deal with a very erratic President Donald Trump, and domestically he is having to face challenges from his own party, including his former deputy leader Angela Rayner. We will be discussing this and much more on this week’s Downtown Den Politics Podc...

Frank returns from MIPIM 2026 to join Jim and Jo for this week’s Downtown Den Politics Podcast. They discuss the dramatic shift in messaging from Donald Trump after claiming victory in the conflict with Iran, before urging allies, NATO members and even China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. They also look at the paperback release of 'Get In' following the recent Mandelson scandal, and discuss...

Iran has a new Ayatollah, but is it simply a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss? With Mojtaba Khamenei stepping into power, questions are growing about whether the US will step back from the conflict or escalate further. As fuel prices rise and the economic impact of the war begins to bite, what does it mean for global stability and the UK’s political landscape? Jo Phillips, joins Jim...

In the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Martin Liptrot discuss the latest Middle East crisis and the implications for Geo-Politics. And closer to home they discuss the Green Party's vistory in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Keir Starmer survived what felt like a near-death experience for his premiership before hopping on a plane to Germany for the Munich Security Conference. In this episode, we unpack how the Prime Minister navigated another turbulent week, what saved him politically, and what the fallout could mean in the weeks ahead. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

It has been a challenging week for Keir Starmer, with growing pressure surrounding his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson. Can his leadership endure? Find out in the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

All the candidates have been selected for the Gorton and Denton by-election. In this episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Frank, Jim and Jo, preview what the final outcome of that particular contest may be. They also be look at the fallout from The Epstein Files and Keir Starmer's trip to China, whilst telling you all about DIB's latest visit to Parliament and the Hospitality and Visitor...

Plenty to has happened in the world of politics in the last seven days. And with too much to fit into one podcast, this week, Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips, focus on the BIG talking points from the past week. Does Keir Starmer and the Labour Party fear Andy Burnham? Will there be a comeback for Andy Street? Should Andy Street and Ruth Davidson join the Liberal Democrats? Plenty of the...

With political defections and American invasions, there is not much to cheer you up on this bluest of Blue Mondays, but we will do our best… Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast View Best for Britain's 'Reform UK Defection Tracker' Read Jim's latest blog here.

Happy belated New Year and welcome back to the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. We barely stepped away and the world went straight back to chaos with international tensions involving Iran Venezuela and Ukraine. Closer to home we look at political U-turns including the government reversal on business rates for pubs. We also spotlight the Downtown in Business and Liverpool Business Improvement Distric...

In this special episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank, Jim and Jo, look back on some of the highlights from their involvement with politics throughout the years, answer listeners questions and put together their Fantasy Cabinets. They look back at what they got right and wrong in their 2025 predictions, and share their predictions for 2026. We hope you are all having a wonderful festi...

Rachel Reeves tears at PMQ's, the resignation of the deputy prime minister, the huge losses in the local elections and constant speculation about Keir Starmer's future as leader, 2025 has been an annus horribilis for the Labour Party. On the up, has been Nigel Farage and Reform UK winning control of councils, parliamentary by-elections and attracting a slew of Tory defectors, the right wing populi...

With the Sunday papers predicting a return to Westminster for Andy Burnham, Shabana Mahmood doing the keynote interview at the annual Tony Blair Christmas gig, and Wes Streeting featuring as the main interview in the New Statesman’s final issue of the year, what can Keir Starmer do to stop the speculation about his leadership? Twelve months ago it was Kemi Badenoch who was under pressure; how has...