Downtown Den Archives - Downtown in Business

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 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. 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 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.