EP. 150 | Starmer Out, Burnham In
13/07/2026
It’s Keir Starmer’s final week as Prime Minister, with Andy Burnham preparing to become the UK’s seventh Prime Minister in just ten years.
EP. 149 | Another Prime Minister Bites the Dust
22/06/2026
This week’s Downtown Den Politics podcast is somewhat of an unusual one because, as we sat down to record, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation. We reflect on that breaking news and what it could mean for the political landscape.
EP. 148 | Makerfield Goes To The Polls
16/06/2026
With voters heading to the polls in the Makerfield by-election, the panel considers what the result could mean for the government and opposition parties alike. They also reflect on the resignation of Defence Minister John Healey and debate the government’s decision to ban social media for under-16s.
Ep. 147 | The Politics of Tragedy
08/06/2026
In this week’s Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Frank, Jim and Jo discuss the political implications of the tragic murder of Henry Novak and what it could mean for the wider political landscape.
EP. 146 | The Blair Intervention
01/06/2026
Tony Blair has waded into the political debate, claiming the Government lacks vision, leadership and a clear plan. Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting were quick to push back, but did their responses actually prove Blair’s point?
EP 145 | Corruption or Mishap?
26/05/2026
From the latest corruption controversy in Scotland to the growing influence of Reform UK, this week Frank Mckenna is joined by Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips to discuss the biggest political stories of the week and ask whether Andy Burnham or Keir Starmer is best placed to lead Labour’s future.
EP. 144 | Starmer, Streeting or Burnham?
18/05/2026
Jo and Jim look back on the last week in politics and discuss the possibilities of a potential Labour leadership change.
EP. 143 | Has Labour Forgotten how to do Politics?
11/05/2026
Less than two years after its landslide victory, Labour appears hesitant and politically outmanoeuvred by Reform UK.
EP.142 | Ballot Box Test
05/05/2026
We turn now to the biggest test of public opinion between general elections, with full elections taking place in Scotland and Wales, as well as across all London boroughs, Birmingham and many other places across the country.
EP.141 | Starmer on the Brink
27/04/2026
Publications from the left, right and centre agree that Keir Starmer has been, to put it kindly, underwhelming as prime minister.
EP 138 | The Cost of Conflict
30/03/2026
Is it peace talks going well, or are we about to see American troops invading parts of Iran? All of that remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is the serious economic consequences heading our way.
EP. 137 | Starmer’s Political Tightrope
23/03/2026
As the Iranian conflict continues, absolute chaos starts to emerge as far as the economy is concerned. Keir Starmer is still walking the tightrope to deal with a very erratic President Donald Trump, and domestically he is having to face challenges from his own party, including his former deputy leader Angela Rayner.