A Week in America | 2 October
02/10/2026
Martin Liptrot discusses the political panic unfolding across America as voters prepare for the midterm elections.
Give Conference Reality Check Andy.
17/09/2026
Jim looks forward to the party conference season. He urges the Prime MInister to give his Liverpool conference a reality check,and Kemi Badenoch to fend off calls for right unity. Meanwhile the Greens will use their gathering to boost Zack Polanski’s chances in the Holborn by election. Finally Jim speculates that it could be the last conference for Sir Ed Davey as leader of the Lib Dems.
DIB Opinion | Working from home: flexibility must work both ways
17/09/2026
DIB Group chair & chief executive Frank McKenna urges the government to back off more Red Tape and the Work From Home narrative
Burnham Must Make Growth Labour’s Guiding Mission
10/09/2026
Chancellor John Healey made his first keynote speech this week – but he gave little away. As he and new PM Andy Burnham consider how they can get the UK economy moving forward, Frank McKenna offers some ideas that may not please Labour activists in the short term – but can deliver results for the country-and the Labour Party – in the longer term.
Liverpool City Region Parliamentary Reception Highlights Ambition, Investment and the Power of Partnership
11/06/2026
Business leaders, parliamentarians, local government representatives and key stakeholders came together in Westminster this week for a highly successful Liverpool City Region Parliamentary Reception hosted by Downtown in Business.
EP. 144 | Starmer, Streeting or Burnham?
18/05/2026
Jo and Jim look back on the last week in politics and discuss the possibilities of a potential Labour leadership change.
EP.142 | Ballot Box Test
05/05/2026
We turn now to the biggest test of public opinion between general elections, with full elections taking place in Scotland and Wales, as well as across all London boroughs, Birmingham and many other places across the country.
The Battle for Britain’s Boroughs
30/04/2026
Next week’s local elections look set to redraw the political map. With thousands of seats up for grabs, both Labour and the Conservatives are braced for heavy losses, as voters turn elsewhere in growing numbers. Polls point to a fragmented landscape, rising support for smaller and more radical parties, and a result that could leave town halls across the country in unfamiliar and uncertain hands.
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.
EP.134 | Iranian crisis and a Green victory
02/03/2026
In the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, Jim Hancock, Jo Phillips and Martin Liptrot discuss the latest Middle East crisis and the implications for Geo-Politics.
EP.130 | Does Starmer Fear a Burnham Challenge?
26/01/2026
Does Keir Starmer and the Labour Party fear Andy Burnham? Will there be a comeback for Andy Street? Should Andy Street and Ruth Davidson join the Liberal Democrats?
EP.127 | Listener Questions & 2026 Predictions
29/12/2025
Frank, Jim and Jo, look back on some of the highlights from their involvement with politics throughout the years, answer listeners questions and put together their Fantasy Cabinets.