EP.114 | Can Kemi continue?
07/10/2025
Kemi Badenoch finds herself less than a year into the job, fighting to retain the leadership of the Tory party. Can she survive?
EP.113 | Keir’s best ever performance?
02/10/2025
This week it was the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, and it was badged as the conference that was make or break for Keir Starmer.
A Decent Proposal
25/09/2025
In this week’s blog, Jo reflects on the Liberal Democrat Conference and considers how Ed Davey’s appeal to decency, community, and middle England could counter Farage, Reform, and divisive politics.
EP.111 | What does the future hold for the PM?
16/09/2025
Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips discuss the future of the Prime Minister, the defection of another Conservative MP to Reform and look ahead to Donald Trump’s state visit.
EP.110 | Has the PM turned a crisis into an opportunity?
08/09/2025
Keir Starmers latest reset has not gone according to plan. But has the PM turned the crisis into an opportunity?
EP.107 | In Conversation with Dame Louise Ellman
13/08/2025
DIB Boss, Frank McKenna, caught up with Dame Louise Ellman in the Downtown Den.
EP.106 | What will Rachel do in the Autumn Budget?
13/08/2025
An interest rate cut may have given Chancellor Rachel Reeves a little respite this week, but an independent economic report suggests that she has a £50 billion hole to fill if she’s to hit her own fiscal targets. What options does she have?
EP.105 | NHS Strikes – A win for Wes?
05/08/2025
NHS strikes VAT on private healthcare, the Online Safety Act, Trump tariffs and Epstein, Gaza and Palestine.
EP.104 | Doctors Dispute Drama
29/07/2025
With Frank still away, Jim, Jo, and Kevin tackle the doctors dispute and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to ban strikes. They’ll also weigh up the likelihood of serious disorder during the hot summer nights around asylum hotels
EP.103 | Water Scandals, Voting Age & Labour Rebels
22/07/2025
With Frank and Jim away, Jo and Kevin take charge of this week’s Downtown Den Politics, unpacking the latest developments from Westminster and beyond.
EP.102 | Devolution: A big step in the right direction
14/07/2025
The governments devolution white paper, Labours union issues, more bad news for the economy, but a successful state visit of President Macron. And Forty years of Live Aid.
EP.101 | In Conversation with Sir Graham Brady
08/07/2025
In a very special episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast Frank McKenna is joined by the former chairman of the very influential conservative backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.