When you’re in a hole…
03/10/2024
Frank McKenna is fuming over the governments inability to grip the ‘freebie-gate’ story.
In the mood for dancing?
26/09/2024
Labour’s conference wasn’t the celebration that it might have been, nor was it the shambles some had hoped for. But Labour does need to get a grip on it’s appalling communications strategy according to Jo Phillips.
Give him a break
22/08/2024
According to Frank McKenna, Keir Starmer has made his first big mistake as Prime Minister.
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP.46 | 19th August 2024
19/08/2024
Is Labour’s honeymoon period over already?
A good start
18/07/2024
Jim writes in his blog that the new government have got off to a good start with a major programme of legislation, if it works!
Both parties agonise over racism
14/03/2024
As the row over racism rages, Jim feels both parties are often guilty of putting pragmatism ahead of principle.
Obsessed Prime Ministers
07/12/2023
The Prime Minister has created a first class political crisis by staking the whole government’s credibility on the narrow issue of Stop the Boats according to Jim in his latest blog.
Are we at the beginning of the end of a two-party system?
16/11/2023
Frank McKenna reflects on another turbulent week for the prime minister – and some internal party challenges for the Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer too. He wonders if the Tory and Labour coalitions are becoming too broad to manage and survive.
At least inflation’s down!
16/11/2023
Jim reviews one of the most dramatic weeks in British politics. Apart from the news on inflation, he thinks the outlook is bleak for the Prime Minister.
Braverman set for sacking
09/11/2023
Jim thinks the Home Secretary is on the point of sacking or resignation. Whatever happens, his blog takes a longer term look at Suella Braverman’s plans for her future in politics.
The bluster don’t work
23/03/2023
Jim is not convinced by Boris Johnson’s Partygate evidence, but doesn’t rule out Tory MPs saving his career. He also asks if Republicans could undermine Ukraine’s war effort.
Lord Michael Heseltine: The best prime minister we never had
25/11/2022
A political giant for more than five decades, the man who many believe to be ‘the best Prime Minister we never had’, Lord Michael Heseltine, joined DIB boss Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den this week.