The Downtown Den Politics Podcast

Who would you choose? The schizophrenic ex-partner who blows hot and cold, tries to bully you from time to time, but is considered to have enjoyed a special relationship with you for many years. Or the former partner who you dumped but is now in a forgiving mood whilst you realise it was a big, huge mistake to leave them in the first place. For Keir Starmer, it's the US and Trump or the EU. Which...

With Frank McKenna absent this week, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips chew the fat over all the latest news from the world of politics. Up for discussion this week were, British and American relations, can people see the bigger picture for the green agenda and ask if the UK government is being stung by its critics? Watch Jo Phillips on GB News every Tuesday from 7pm-8pm! This is the latest Downtown Den...

It's Donald Trump MK2. He was inaugurated on Monday and to say he's hit the ground running would be an understatement. A whole host of executive orders signed, an address to Davos, a call for Putin to end the war in Ukraine and a warning to NATO allies that they need to increase their budget provisions for defence. It certainly has been a lively start. This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podc...

Rachel Reeves has had a better week, Kemi Badenoch hasn't and Ed Davey confirms he listens to our podcast. But the only show in town today really is Donald Trump's inauguration. What will the orange one second coming as U.S. President mean for the UK, Europe and the world? This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

In the latest podcast, Frank, Jim, and Jo talk the BBC, Nigel Farage, the Tory Party, and the Lib Dems – and they offer their political predictions for 2025. Watch Jo Phillips on GB News every Tuesday from 7pm-8pm! This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Will Rachael Reeves survive as chancellor? Will Keir Starmer still be Prime Minister in twelve months time? Will Nigel Farage see off the challenge of Stephen Yaxley Lennon? Will Kemi Badenoch revive the Tory Party's fortunes? And will the mighty Plymouth Argyle knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup? Happy New Year. It's 2025 and this is the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. In Conversation with Simon Da...

Today we revisit a previous podcast episode as Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock and our man in the U.S. Martin Liptrot reflect on the 2025 U.S. Election. How has Donald Trump been returned to the White House? Listen to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast, as Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock and Martin Liptrot discuss Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election. Find out more about upcoming DIB event or h...

Today we revisit a previous podcast episode as Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Kevin Johnson after a few days of reflection look back on the 2025 UK General Election. In this episode we unpack the general election results from Thursday evening/Friday morning, focusing on the smaller parties. That's the Reform party, the Greens, the Independents and the Liberal Democrats will also be re...

Today we revisit a previous podcast episode as Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Kevin Johnson give their immediate reactions to the 2025 UK General Election. A Labour landslide, a Conservative meltdown, a Liberal Democrat revival. Find out more about upcoming DIB event or how you can become a member of the fastest growing business club in the country by visiting our website.  downtownin...

Over one hundred business leaders packed into the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday 13th November 2024 for the Downtown in Business forum with Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram. You can listen to this conversation, which was sponsored by Starship and Sutcliffe , where DIB boss Frank McKenna quizzes Steve on a range of issues, including inward investment, the skills agenda, innovation, and t...

What a year 2024 has been. Seventy-three elections across the world, including polls in the UK, France and the US. The first Labour government in 14 years, the return of Donald Trump and the rise of populism. Alongside violent conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. We'll be discussing the highlights and the lowlights of 2024 in this week's Downtown Den...

Starmer has reset, Barnier has resigned and Assad has fallen. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

The first ministerial resignation of the new Labour government. Calls for the Prime Minister to resign and an historic vote in the House of Commons. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Labour legend John Prescott sadly passed away last week. We'll be taking a look back at the great man's career. We'll also be discussing the government's fallout with farmers and the assisted dying private member's bill. We also turn our attention to international affairs. Ukraine, the Middle East, Cop 29 and elections in Ireland and Romania. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Before the general election, Labour embarked on a huge charm offensive of the business community. However, since taking control, they have slapped on extra taxes for bosses with the National Insurance hike, increased the national minimum wage, and imposed additional rules around employment law. Is the government's honeymoon with commerce over already?  Welcome to the latest Downtown den Politics P...

America has been tango'd once again, as the orange one, also known as Donald Trump, returns to the White House. What does that mean for the UK government and geopolitics? We'll take a look at week one for new Tory Leader, Kemi Badenoch, who names her shadow cabinet and performed in her first PMQ's. And as if we haven't had enough elections in 2024, Ireland and possibly Germany, are now set to go t...

How has Donald Trump been returned to the White House? Listen to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast, as Frank McKenna, Jim Hancock and Martin Liptrot discuss Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election.

Downtown in Business was in Westminster last week as Rachel Reeves delivered the new governments first budget and announced a whopping £40bn in extra taxes. We reflect on the fallout from Labours first fiscal event in fifteen years. The interminable Tory leadership race finally reached its conclusion at the weekend, and Kemi Badenoch was crowned as the leader of the opposition. As the sixth Conser...

They say seven days is a long time in politics, well the next eight may be monumental. Labour's first budget in 15 years, the conclusion to the Tory party leadership race and the US presidential election all take place. And that eagerly awaited Downtown Parliamentary Reception is happening to. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

The Investment Summit, the Tory leadership debate, the budget, the US presidential election - and the absolute scandal, scandal I tell you, of England appointing a German - Yes, you heard me right - a German, to manage our national football team. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

Labor government has reached the milestone of 100 days. The Tory party has reduced the number of candidates seeking its leadership to two. Big political figure from Scotland has sadly passed away. And on the international front, wars and conflicts continue to rage. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast.

Sue Gray has resigned as the Prime Minister's chief of staff. Will this help or hinder Keir Starmer's attempt to get a grip on his government? The Tories held their conference in a strangely buoyant mood last week. We'll be taking a look back at what happened in Birmingham. And today, the 7th of October, marks the first anniversary of that awful terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. As the horrific...

It was the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool last week, it's the Tory Party in Birmingham this week. What are the two main political parties up to at the moment? Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast.

Labour has kicked off its conference in Liverpool. But instead of the joyous and celebratory mood for a party that has just won its first election in 15 years, the comrades are grumpy. What can Keir Starmer and his team do to reset his government and move on from frocks, football and freebies? Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast.

Kamala Harris won the presidential debate last Tuesday night, but will it make any difference to the outcome of the election as news reaches us this morning of another assassination attempt on her opponent Donald Trump. Back home, Labour prepares for its conference this coming weekend in Liverpool- let’s hope Keir Starmer has a decent suit to wear; the Tories leadership contest continues as 5 beco...