Rachel ruffles the feathers
01/08/2024
Jim blogs on Rachel Reeves first moves as Chancellor, condemns Farage comments on Southport tragedy and looks at the Tory leadership race.
The triple lock is a drag on the economy
28/03/2024
The ‘Triple Lock’ is economic folly according to DIB boss Frank McKenna. In his latest blog, he explains why – and warns that the retirement age could be heading into a whole new stratosphere.
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP. 23 | 25th March 2024
25/03/2024
Labours shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Mis Lecture this week. Did she lay out a progressive programme of economic reform, or has her pragmatism taken her to a place where she is simply promising to be Continuity Jeremy Hunt?
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP. 21 | 11th March 2024
11/03/2024
Last week Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, tried to restart, reset, reshape the government with his budget. Did it work?
Silence is not golden for Sunak and Hunt
07/03/2024
The reaction of Tory MPs to Keir Starmer’s attack on the government in his budget response will be of concern to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
Still want the job Rachel?
07/03/2024
In his blog Jim asks if Rachael Reeves still wants the job of Chancellor after Jeremy Hunt has stolen her policies and left a legacy of tax increases and spending cuts.
Tax cuts when councils on their knees?
29/02/2024
Ahead of next week’s Budget, Jim examines the pressure on the Chancellor for tax cuts, and the consequences if he carries them out.
The Hunt is on
16/03/2023
The highest taxes for generations and falling living standards, yet argues Jim in his latest blog, the Chancellor offered stability and some ground breaking measures for the North and Midlands in this week’s Budget.
Expect caution all round in budget
09/03/2023
On the eve of the Budget Jim has been asking the Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, about her cautious approach to Labour spending plans. Meanwhile the Chancellor is more worried about his backbenchers calling for tax cuts now.
Go for growth Chancellor
23/02/2023
Frank McKenna urges the Chancellor to use his £30 Billion windfall to support business and the economy, and go for growth, when he delivers his budget next month.
Still time to vote for Hunt!
11/07/2019
This week Jim urges Tories who may not have voted, to support Jeremy Hunt after Boris Johnson’s betrayal of our Washinton envoy. He also criticises Labour’s latest policy on Europe.