This week Jim comments on the shock sacking of the Chancellor, believes we need to look carefully at the government’s rail plans for the North, and urges Andy Burnham to get behind Lisa Nandy in the Labour leadership election.
Jim reports on growing frustration in the business community about the apprenticeship system. The number of starts has fallen since a controversial levy was introduced in 2017. He has also been meeting the new Speaker who aims to turn a page on the Bercow years.
As we leave the EU, Jim looks back on the opportunities missed by those that embraced the European Vision to win the hearts and minds of the British people for the project.
Will towns be the new driving force of the Northern Powerhouse? This week Downtown held an event with one of the leading Chief Executives in local government, Wigan’s Alison McKenzie-Folan. Jim hosted the lunch and reports on her forthright views on the cities v towns debate.
This week Jim gives firm backing to Lisa Nandy in the Labour leadership race. However he acknowledges that the Wigan MP has ground to make up to defeat the frontrunners.
Jim says this needs to be the year when Minister’s are held to their promises on real investment and devolution for the Northern Powerhouse.
In his last blog of the year, Jim looks back on the most turbulent decade ever in British politics. It began with Gordon Brown determined to make Labour the natural party of power and ended with it looking unlikely they will ever be in power again.
In his final Downtown Monthly blog for 2019, Downtown Political Editor, Jim Hancock explores what the result of the 2019 General Election might have in store.
Jim gives his comprehensive review of the General Election result. He concludes the debate over our membership of the EU is over for a generation. He also asks if now is not the time for the splintered Left to engage in brave strategic thinking, when is?
Jim reflects on the difficult decision facing Remainers next week but believes it must be a vote for Labour to stop Brexit.
Read Jim’s blog for a comprehensive analysis of the key battleground seats in the North West. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture for Labour who are switching tactics to try and shore up their position in the region.
Let’s see the manifestos! That’s Jim’s plea this week as he casts a sceptical eye on the huge number of big spending promises that are being revealed in a piecemeal fashion as the election campaign continues.
