With Frank and Jim absent this week, the dream team of Jo Phillips and Kevin Johnson takes the reigns on the Downtown in Business Politics podcast for this episode. Up for discussion this week is the BBC's latest crisis, Deputy Prime Minsister David Lammy's PMQ's appearance, Rachel Reeves' pre budget scene setter speech and are there any point in COPs? This is the latest Downtown Den Politics Podcast. Read Jo Phillip's latest blog - And So It Begins...

Britain's got a racism problem. It's not creeping back, it's marching flag in hand, and far too many in public life are either turning a blind eye or quietly egging it on. Frank, Jim, Jo and Kevin discuss the country's racism problem, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the Chancellor's housing issue, and reflect on Kemi Badenoch's one year as leader of the Tories. Read Jim Hancock's latest blog - Put up income tax and be done with it!

This week, Lucy Powell was elected as the new deputy leader of the Labour Party, there was a big investment summit that took place in Birmingham, and Sarah Pochin, the Reform MP in Runcorn, got herself into some difficulties over some unfortunate comments. We will be discussing all that and more on this week’s episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

It’s coming up to the first anniversary of Donald Trump 2.0, there is certainly much to talk about and who better to catch up with what is happening across the pond in the United States than our man Martin Liptrot. This is a special edition of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. Read Martin's Blog HERE

The government has continued to find itself embroiled in a row over Chinese spies, the West Midlands Police have banned Tel Aviv supporters from an Aston Villa European game. And the Green Party's Zack Polanski has impressed. In this week's podcast we also do a special Question Time. This is the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

A peace deal for the Middle East. Kemi Badenoch's maiden speech as Leader to the Conservative Party. Potential problems for Labour with a China crisis and a deputy leadership contest, which seems to be getting a little bit spicy. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. For more information about DIB's Change Makers Live Summit in Birmingham, visit https://downtowninbusiness.com/events/change-makers-live-summit-2025-birmingham/

The Conservative Party gets together for its conference in Manchester this week and Kemi Badenoch finds herself less than a year into the job, fighting to retain the leadership of the Tory party. Can she survive? Indeed, can she ensure that the Conservative Party doesn't die a death as it faces extinction at the hands of the Reform Party? We also talk about international affairs. Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, crisis in France and elections in Moldova and the Czech Republic. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. For more information about DIB's Change Makers Live Summit in Birmingham, visit https://downtowninbusiness.com/events/change-makers-live-summit-2025-birmingham/

This week it was the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, and it was badged as the conference that was make or break for Keir Starmer. Well, the Prime Minister delivered, what does that mean for the future of the government, the future of the party and the future of Andy Burnham? Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. Read Jim's latest blog at: downtowninbusiness.com/blogs/2025/10/01/the-dangers-of-overreaching

Donald Trump's state visit, the Labour Party's deputy leadership contest, a Liberal Democrat conference and the meltdown of ‘Your Party.’  Plus the latest developments in the Middle East and the recognition by the UK of a Palestinian state. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.

In the episode 111 of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips discuss the future of the Prime Minister, the defection of another Conservative MP to Reform and look ahead to Donald Trump's state visit. This is the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. DIB Events - downtowninbusiness.com/events

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/

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/  

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...

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

The government published its white paper on devolution this week. Frank, Jim and Jo reflect on that, plus Labour's travails with the doctors union and unite. More bad news on the economy too, with growth shrinking for the second consecutive month. But on a more positive note, a successful state visit of President Macron. Can the new deal with France help stop the boats? And Forty years on, yes, can you believe it? Forty years on, we'll be reminiscing about the greatest gig ever held Live Aid. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. For more information and to buy tickets for Talking 'Bout Regeneration 2025 visit https://downtowninbusiness.com/tbr/ To listen to Frank's conversation with Sir Graham Brady please CLICK HERE.

In a very special episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank McKenna is joined by the former chairman of the very influential conservative backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. Sir Graham was in Parliament for 25 years and he has recently written a book reflecting on his quarter of a century as a parliamentarian. Listen to a fascinating conversation about Sir Graham's life in parliament and a bit more too. Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast.