Jim looks forward to the party conference season. He urges the Prime MInister to give his Liverpool conference a reality check,and Kemi Badenoch to fend off calls for right unity. Meanwhile the Greens will use their gathering to boost Zack Polanski’s chances in the Holborn by election. Finally Jim speculates that it could be the last conference for Sir Ed Davey as leader of the Lib Dems.
In the light of Meta’s huge settlement in the child safety trial in America, Jim asks how have governments let the tech giants become so powerful and potentially harmful?
Jim says Andy Burnham has the majority, but does he have the courage to reform social care? He also takes a comprehensive look at the new Cabinet and junior ministers
Jim assesses the almost certain arrival of Andy Burnham in Downing Street this month. He warns that devolution must be real with less Manchesterism. He also has a little dip into history.
In his final preview of the Makerfield by election, Jim believes Andy Burnham will win, but urges people to recognise that the Reform candidate is expressing a deep frustration felt by many people.
Jim wonders if it is even possible for the Prime Minister to survive, before looking behind the scenes in Makerfield.
On the day the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority held its first meeting,Downtown hosted a Westminster reception for Ministers, MPs and business leaders on the theme of devolution to Northern Power Towns. Jim reports on that and on the future of the Prime Minister as the local elections loom.
Jim looks at all the possible outcomes of the Iran war, and is not optimistic. He also urges caution about the Green victory in Gorton and Denton.
Against the continuing fallout of the massive Epstein scandal, Jim assesses how it will play in the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by election
Jim reflects on the breakdown of international order and suggests it poses a fundamental challenge to the mindset of us Europeans.
Jim is not in the festive spirit as he gives 2025 the thumbs down with little sign of optimism for the New Year.
