A master of all he surveys
30/09/2021
Keir Starmer’s relative success at his Labour conference this week is good news for Boris Johnson. Frank McKenna explains why.
Tax hike will not fix social care – and NHS needs reform as much as it needs cash
08/09/2021
Heresy? Frank McKenna argues that the NHS needs radical reform more than it needs cash – and that this week’s tax hike will not improve social care as promised.
Our consistently inconsistent PM is a Disastrous Leader for a Crisis
22/07/2021
‘U-Turn’ may not have been in Margaret Thatcher’s vocabulary – but its top of Boris Johnson’s political playbook. Frank McKenna reflects on the Prime Ministers tendency to change his mind at the tip of a Twitter storm in his latest Downtown blog.
If not now, when?
08/07/2021
Frank Mckenna explains the reasoning behind Boris Johnson’s decision to announce ‘Freedom Day’ and a loosening of COVID restrictions.
A long way back for Labour – Election Results Review?
13/05/2021
Former BBC Political Editor and Downtown commentator Jim Hancock, and former Labour adviser Adam McNicholas joined DIB boss Frank McKenna to discuss last weeks ‘Super Thursday’ election results.
Has Boris bounced back?
11/02/2021
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna explains why it may be better to be a lucky politician than a good one.
Boris must announce the final destination – with no more diversions, u-turns, or cul-de-sacs
04/02/2021
The economy will bounce back, but the other problems that will be left behind by the pandemic will be more difficult for the government to tackle. Read Frank McKenna’s thoughts on Boris’ roadmap and what happens next.
Will Boris survive the year?
07/01/2021
In his first blog of 2021, Frank Mckenna asks if Boris Johnson will survive the year as Prime Minister.
YOU CAN’T BE A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT.
22/10/2020
Frank McKenna explains why the government’s latest ‘local lockdown’ approach to tackling the Covid-crisis is the worst of all worlds, in his latest Downtown blog.
Manchester businesses back local politicians over Lockdown
21/10/2020
A poll of Greater Manchester firms, immediately following the Government’s decision to put the region in a Tier 3 Lockdown, has come out overwhelmingly supporting local politicians. Almost 88% said they trusted the Manchester City Council leader, whilst just 12% said the Prime Minister.
Labour Danger
11/06/2020
This week Frank McKenna reflects on Keir Starmer’s impressive start to life as Labour leader – but warns that he and the party have a long way to go before winning back the support they need to form a government.
Can Boris bounce back?
21/05/2020
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna warns Boris Johnson that he must find a new way of operating if he is to maintain his position in 10 Downing Street.