Chancellor John Healey made his first keynote speech this week – but he gave little away. As he and new PM Andy Burnham consider how they can get the UK economy moving forward, Frank McKenna offers some ideas that may not please Labour activists in the short term – but can deliver results for the country-and the Labour Party – in the longer term.
Should Andy Burnham call an early General Election?
Gone are the days when the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United – even Everton – could go into a new football season dreaming to be league champions. As we gear up for the new Premier League campaign, Frank McKenna argues that the financial rules now governing the English game will eventually kill it.
Can Andy Burnham stop the chaos that has become UK politics?
As Andy Burnham prepares to enter 10 Downing Street, Frank McKenna suggests that Britain’s next government is already taking shape.
In this week’s blog, Frank McKenna examines proposals for a “Council of Progressives” to counter Reform UK and argues that political alliances and electoral pacts are no substitute for reconnecting with voters and rebuilding trust.
After spending several days in Westminster, Frank Mckenna reflects on why Keir Starmer is likely to remain in post for now, but why it increasingly appears to be a question of when, rather than if, his premiership comes to an end.
Labour and the Tories will likely be waking up to a set of disastrous local election results. However, Frank McKenna explains why the predicted death of the traditional two-party domination in UK politics may be greatly exaggerated.
Frank McKenna calls on the Chancellor to follow her positive rhetoric on fiscal devolution with changes that will support economic growth in the regions.
E-bikes and e-scooters are driving Frank McKenna mad. They need to be properly regulated, and motorists and pedestrians protected from the increasingly erratic and dangerous cyclists and scooterists.
In his final blog of the year, Frank McKenna sets out his new year wish list for the major cities and counties that DIB operates in – and offers the government a route map to growth.
There will be a lot of people – including our very own Jim Hancock – who have analysed the budget, in an effort to predict whether it will be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for the economy. Only time will tell on that. However, what is indisputable, is that the whole budget process- the leaks, the circus, the created drama – is well past its sell-by date. There must be a better way.
