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.
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 is not in the festive spirit as he gives 2025 the thumbs down with little sign of optimism for the New Year.
Jim identifies three examples of potential overreach by politicians in recent weeks. Nigel Farage on right to remain,Andy Burnham’s leadership ambitions and the Prime Minister’s attack on Reform UK.
A sense of gloom about the economic prospects is not shared by the West Midlands. That’s Jim’s conclusion having attended two great Downtown events in the last week.
Jim thinks the late budget on Nov 26th will be bad for business. He also comments on the crisis facing Angela Rayner and the radical new leader of the Green Party.
Jim has a gloomy view about the government’s ability to quickly turn
around its fortunes. He also reflects on the death of Lord Tebbit.
Jim worries that the Chancellor is relying on the south of England too much in her dash for growth.
Jim thinks Tory MPs have made a bad mistake in offering two right
wingers to Conservative members who will vote for their next leader in
the coming weeks
The Bank of England won’t save the Tories, and with a betting scandal now hammering the final nail in their coffin, Jim’s blog includes the first part of a survey of NW seats.
