Gordon Brown is back….with a raft of ideas for scrapping the Lords and giving a lot more power to the North. But Jim asks what priority will it have in a Labour government?He also previews the latest North West by election, this time in Stretford and Urmston.
The northern mayors described their talks with the Transport Minister this week as “positive”. Jim prefers to differ. He fears short term misery and long term frustration for the travelling public. He also updates us on devolution moves in Lancashire and Cheshire.
Jim surveys the grim political landscape for North West Conservatives as a leading MP decides to quit, and the party faces defeat in next week’s Chester by election.
Jim analyses the Chancellor’s statement blaming Brexit and Liz Truss more than Covid and Ukraine for the mess.He also reports on a row amongst Labour members in Bury South.
Jim forecasts that we could see the end of meaningful devolution in the North following next week’s crisis budget. He also comments on the American elections, and reports on parliamentary boundary changes and a possible left wing purge in the Labour Party.
Jim forecasts a right wing backlash if too much emphasis is placed on refugee comfort in the current boat people crisis. He looks at the potential for big trouble in America as the mid term elections approach.Back home, Jim asks when will the West Lancs by election be called?
There isn’t going to be a General Election, but the North West will see a significant test of how large that Labour lead is. Jim reviews the challenges and opportunities for the new Prime Minister.
The resignation of Liz Truss is given full analysis by Jim who also wonders why Labour are so keen on coming to power at this time of crisis.
Jim comments on the worsening crisis for the government, analysing the latest wrong moves of the Prime Minister and wonders if it will end in the unthinkable.
Jim agrees with the pollsters that it is going to be difficult for the government to recover from their disastrous conference. But he thinks Labour would face the same borrowing issues.
Jim reflects on the spectacular economic implosion of the new Truss government and reports on the level of interest from business in the Labour Party that he noted at their Liverpool conference.
As the government moves at last to protect business from the worst of the energy crisis, Jim looks at the more controversial aspects of Liz Truss’ economic measures. As Labour meets in Liverpool he also asks what do they do now?
