Judgement on Labour

Jim presents his comprehensive preview of the local elections next week in the North West. The Tories should do very badly but Jim suggests the picture is complicated for Labour.

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There’s nobody else to lead!

The lack of an obvious successor is a poor reason for the Prime Minister to hang on, argues Jim in his latest blog. He suggests it is all a part of a lowering of standards in public and private life.

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If it ain’t broke

Jim thinks there is no need to privatise Channel Four which has become a force for good for the northern media industry. He also look back on this week thirty and forty years ago which brought turning points for the Conservative Party.

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Burnham and Neville: The Dream team

Jim gives his views on the leadership of Keir Starmer after two visits to Greater Manchester in a week by the Labour leader. He also asks why so few Chancellors make it to being Prime Minister.

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Sunak massive bailout part 2

The Chancellor is contemplating a second massive bail out just two years after the pandemic furlough scheme. Jim looks at the energy options facing the government on the world stage.

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Does North want to be taken seriously?

One of the North’s leading politicians has been hounded out of office at the age of 48. Jim considers the fate of Newcastle leader Nick Forbes and its implications for our voice in the Levelling Up debate.

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The testing time

As Russia attacks Ukraine, Jim assesses the appetite of people in the West for paying the cost of sanctions, leave alone fighting Putin’s forces. He also concludes that the Prime Minister is safe for now.

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At the court of Putin

Jim finds the spectacle of world leaders beating a path to the Kremlin worrying. In this week’s blog he concludes that ,whatever happens, democracy is on the defensive in the world.

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Flogging a dead horse?

Is “partygate” losing its impact? Jim thinks so and in his blog he looks at future threats to the Prime Minister. He also looks at the contenders to be the new BBC Political Editor.

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