The storm before the storm
Check out Jim’s comprehensive preview of next week’s local elections. While the Conservatives face hundreds of losses, the Gaza crisis poses problems for Labour in Lancashire and Rochdale.
Labour
Both parties agonise over racism
As the row over racism rages, Jim feels both parties are often guilty of putting pragmatism ahead of principle.
Hoyle on the hook
Jim reflects on the Speakership of Lindsay Hoyle, the forthcoming Rochdale by election and possibly (not another one) in Lancashire.
Lack of confidence could still cost Labour the election
Labour has been reminded of the old adage ‘a week is a long time in politics’. Frank McKenna reflects on a tough seven days for Keir Starmer and his team.
Gateway for Galloway?
Jim thinks George Galloway has a real chance of winning the Rochdale by election. He reflects on the mistakes Labour made and whether it will have longer term consequences this General Election year.
A week in America | 9 February 2024
From his perch in the US, Martin looks at the current political ding-dong back in the UK – and can’t help but share a few words of US advice…
What took Labour so long?
In his blog, Jim weighs up the different factors that have lead Labour to ditch their £28bn green energy promise. He also looks at the rise of the right in the Tory Party.
Downtown take on councils’ crisis
MPs say the Town Hall financial crisis is out of control. Jim reports on that, and a Downtown event which shows that councils and business increasingly want to work together for regeneration.
History not on Labour’s side
Is Sir Keir Starmer heading for a landslide or will the General Election be a close run thing? Jim reports on two major surveys this week that reached very different conclusions.
Post haste
Jim is unimpressed with the sudden urgency ministers are applying to decades of post office injustice. He also looks ahead to a year of elections.
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | 7th November 2023
The latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics podcast with Frank McKenna and Jim Hancock discusses the spate of resignations in the Labour party, the PM’s AI summit and another challenging week for him. There’s also a discussion on who will be the next U.S. President.
I did it my way!
Rishi Sunak ‘celebrated’ his first anniversary as PM this week. As Frank McKenna reminds us, it has not been the easiest year for the man who was once seen as the ‘grown up centrist’ who could save the government.