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The rise of Rishi

By style and substance Rishi Sunak has staked a claim to be the next Tory Prime Minister this week, according to Jim.But the blog also focuses on the crucial response of employers as the furlough scheme is wound up.

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If PM is FDR, who needs Labour?

Boris Johnson seems to be backing a big state, spending big to save the economy. Jim thinks that doesn’t leave much space for the Labour Party despite Keir Starmer’s determination to banish Corbynism.

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Big Changes for Lancashire?

Could Lancashire be about to make its voice heard alongside Manchester and Liverpool? An elected mayor for the county has come a step closer but it would mean big changes in the complex council structure. Jim examines these issues and speculates on who might get the job.

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Challenges for business and Black Lives Matter

Instead of blanking out history, we need to be tackling the hard tasks of improving BAME representation in our boardrooms. That’s the theme of Jim’s blog this wek where he also says there are challenges for the black community and protestors.

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The Dependent Prime Minsiter

Will the Cummings row just pass into history or inflict permanent damage on the government. That’s the question Jim wrestles with this week, along with a rare criticism of the BBC.

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Does Debt Matter?

In his 400th blog for Downtown, Jim asks how the huge bill for Covid-19 is going to be paid for. Some experts say let the deficit take care of itself, but Jim thinks some tax rises are inevitable.

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Forensic Keir versus Blusterer Boris

This week Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer came face to face at PMQs for the first time. The dual between the two men will define politics for the next four years. Jim gives his first assessment. He also reviews the appearance in the Downtown Den of the North West’s elected mayors.

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Grimmer and grimmer

Could we be facing a year of Corvid crisis with all its implications for social and business disruption? That’s the fear that Jim expresses this week as he sees few lights at the end of the tunnel. He also speculates what might have happened if David Miliband had become Prime Minister 10 years ago.

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