Explore every episode of the podcast Northern Spin

Northern Spin hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna deliver their verdict on the Prime Minister's first 100 days in office – and ask whether the early optimism can translate into lasting change.

In the latest episode of Northern Spin, BusinessCloud executive editor Chris Maguire and Downtown in Business chief executive Frank McKenna give Burnham his first political school report, marking him out of 10 on the economy, communication, international relations and his impact on the North.

The pair also discuss the growing political fallout surrounding Manchester City's owners and the potential danger to Burnham.

In this episode, Maguire and McKenna discuss:

- Burnham's first 100 days: Has the PM turned Labour's fortunes around or is it a case of style over substance?

- The economy: With inflation, borrowing and fuel prices rising, can Burnham make the tough decisions?

- The TikTok PM: Burnham's combined social media following has soared by 220% in less than four months – but can he turn online popularity into votes?

- Manchester City: Are the club's owners being unfairly criticised over their contribution to East Manchester – and has Burnham made a rare political mistake?

- On manoeuvres: Why North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, Reform UK's - Darren Grimes and economist Andy Haldane are making political waves.

Northern Spin is the political podcast that gives a voice to the North and is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned and sponsored by Sancus Lending UK.

The problems are mounting for Andy Burnham ahead of his first Labour Party Conference as Prime Minister.

After a positive first two months in Downing Street, the economic picture is becoming more challenging. Government borrowing has risen, inflation is above 3% and the Government’s fiscal headroom is under increasing pressure ahead of the October Budget.

On the eve of Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Northern Spin hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna ask whether Burnham can turn the good vibes of his first weeks in office into the tough decisions demanded by government.

Is he prepared to tackle politically difficult issues such as the pension triple lock, tax rises and welfare spending?

Or was former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane right to warn that financial markets risk seeing Burnham’s administration as a 'traditional tax and spend socialist government with better TikTok videos'?

In this episode, Maguire and McKenna also discuss:

Is the PM putting too many of his eggs in the devolution basket?

What can we expect from October’s Budget?

Reform and the donations row

Our regional round-up from across the North

And finally – who’s on manoeuvres?

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. The podcast is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned and sponsored by Sancus Lending UK.

Andy Burnham has completed his first month as Prime Minister – but how has he performed, and what are his biggest challenges?

In the latest episode of Northern Spin, co-hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna assess Burnham’s first month in No 10, his communication style and what lies ahead.

In this episode, Maguire and McKenna also discuss:

• The pros and cons of Burnham’s social media strategy – and whether there’s a danger of style over substance
• What’s gone wrong for Reform – and what it means for the North
• Why things are going badly in Newcastle – on and off the pitch
• The tragedy involving Professor Jason Arday – and the motives of Julia Hartley-Brewer and Isabel Oakeshott

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. The podcast is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned and sponsored by Sancus Lending UK.

Andy Burnham has promised a new style of politics after becoming Britain’s seventh Prime Minister – but can he deliver?

In this special episode of Northern Spin, co-hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna discuss:

Burnham’s five priorities

How does Burnham win over a doubtful media?

What should Burnham do this summer?

Burnham’s message for business

As well as all things Burnham, Maguire and McKenna will also discuss:

Greater Manchester’s mayoral by-election

Judgement day for Lancashire

Chaos in Oldham

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. The podcast is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned and sponsored by Sancus Lending UK.

Keir Starmer’s resignation has cleared the way for Andy Burnham to become Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in just 10 years.

In this special episode of Northern Spin, co-hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna discuss:

Is Andy Burnham ready for the top job?

What could a Burnham Cabinet look like?

Who makes Burnham’s A-team?

What next for Nigel Farage and Reform UK?

How did Burnham secure a landslide victory in Makerfield?

How will history judge Starmer’s time in Downing Street?

Who will be the next Mayor of Greater Manchester?

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. The podcast is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has staked his political future on winning the Makerfield by-election - and, potentially, a tilt at becoming Prime Minister.

But who is Burnham, and how did he get here?

In this special episode of Northern Spin, co-hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna profile the man dubbed the King of the North.

They discuss:

• How Boys from the Blackstuff changed the direction of his life

• His lifelong love affair with music, Everton FC and politics

• Why Hillsborough became a personal crusade

• Walking away from Westminster after losing two Labour leadership contests

• Becoming Greater Manchester Mayor and building the King of the North brand

• Standing up to Boris Johnson’s government during Covid

• His successes and failures as Mayor

• Why it’s sh*t or bust for Burnham and Labour in Makerfield

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. It is produced by Dan Brown of Renowned.

Chapters:

00:55 – The Man Behind the Mayor: Who Is Andy Burnham?

02:42 – How He Became a Great Communicator (He Wasn't Always)

04:23 – Born in Liverpool: Burnham's Origin Story

06:07 – The Hillsborough Moment

07:42 – Why Liverpool Was So Angry - and What Burnham Did About It

10:37 – Turning His Back on Westminster: Why He Chose Manchester

12:20 – First Day as Mayor

12:47 – Giving Away 15% of His Salary

14:56 – Winning Over a Room of Skeptical Business Leaders

18:11 – Stuck on the M6 but Still Shows Up

21:33 – Great Communicator or Instinctive Politician? The Key Difference

25:47 – Getting it right

28:19 – Soft Power & What It Means on a National Stage

31:10 – Andy's character

32:57 – Why He Hates the Word "Celebrity"

33:30 – The Quote on His Office Wall That Explains Everything He Does

34:31 – Why He's Going Back to Westminster - and Why Now

All eyes are on the North as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham fights to win the Makerfield by-election and keep alive his path to No.10.

But any ambitions Burnham has of becoming Prime Minister depend on stopping Reform in the most important by-election in a generation.

In this episode, co-hosts Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna tackle the big questions:

• Can Brand Burnham win over Makerfield, Labour and the country?
• Is it Burnham or bust for Labour?
• Will Carol Vorderman finish off Reform candidate Rob Kenyon after the sexism row?
• Would victory in Makerfield make Burnham Labour’s next leader in waiting?
• And why does Burnham need to ditch the King of the North label?

Northern Spin is a joint production from BusinessCloud and Downtown in Business. The producer is Dan Brown of Renowned.

Northern Spin this week has added insight from special guest Lou Cordwell, who as chair of the Greater Manchester Business Board has been in the room when big decisions have been made, as well as friendly discussions with government..

So much to get through, Goodbye Cruella and welcome back "Lord" Cameron. PLUS: Is Manchester in danger of becoming the London of the North?

This week's Northern Spin is a deep dive into why politicians are making such a play for business, and what the private sector might want in return. We discuss the horrors emerging from the Covid Enquiry, the political tightrope Keir Starmer is walking over the Middle East crisis and explain why Suella Braverman is saying such dreadful things about homeless people.

PLUS: In the culture bit, positive reviews of the Manchester United tour, the Pendle Witch experience and Killers of the Flower Moon.

After crushing by-election defeats in Tamworth and Mid Beds Chris crunches the numbers and works out what it means for the Conservatives in the Red Wall north and the leafy northern shires. Plus, insight from would be MPs on seats where Labour dares to dream, the dangers facing Keir Starmer as his support for Israel prompts the resignation of a Manchester councillor, why it's York Library Service 1, Banking Bureaucracy 0, and our tributes and memories of Sir Bobby Charlton.

Reeves and Rayner get rave reviews, Burnham on best behaviour. PLUS: The remarkable work of the Mines Advisory Group, and how northern politicians have balanced their messaging around the unfolding horrors in Israel and Gaza.

With special guest Joshi Herrmann from the Manchester Mill the talk turns to a crisis in local journalism, the Labour reshuffle and a disastrous summer for the Tories. Plus: why the next six months is all about delivery for Andy Burnham.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham speaks to Northern Spin. In one of the most far-reaching interviews he’s ever done he talks:

Is he on manoeuvres?

Devolution; Keir Starmer; ambitions; Gary Neville; universities, cricket; Mary Earps; his faith and much, much more.

Does the exclusion of Jamie Driscoll in the scrap to be North East Mayor reveal Keir Starmer's strength, or his paranoid weakness? Plus, Andy Burnham seems to get a mention in every single story, why Gordon Brown was in Birkenhead and why Mavis and Deano are the key names to watch in politics.

These are serious times, calling for serious solutions. So why are the Bring Back Boris brigade on manoeuvres? Plus, praise for the FT’s coverage of Ben “Blocker” Houchen’s Teesside travails, why the trains won’t get better straight away, and why we should be worried about cricket.

It's a tense stand off in the Northern Spin studio this week as Chris loses his mind over the Labour hit job on Rishi Sunak, Michael introduces a rap battle into the script and both have a thing or two to say about Scott Benton, the CBI, Fergal Sharkey and Carol Vorderman.

This week Michael and Chris have taken the gloves off and properly slug it out over Starmer, Sunak and GB News. Also, a look ahead to the Northern battlegrounds in the upcoming local elections. PLUS: why new adaptation of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice is a warning from history.

All eyes looked North last week as the deeper devo deal put Greater Manchester into a new era. Plus: Michael and Chris pick apart Boris Johnson's defence and explain why Suella Braverman only invited client journalists on to her Rwanda trip.

It’s been described as Jeremy Hunt’s ‘Back to work Budget’ but will it get the British economy going at long last? Economist Nicola Headlam from Red Flag Alerts joins Michael and Chris for a special analysis of the Budget and what it might mean for the North.

As the BBC sways one way and the other over Gary Lineker, Northern Spin looks on as the Tories get nasty again. Also, Chris Maguire accuses Michael Taylor of letting Andy Burnham off the hook, there's a lament for Oi Polloi, and insight on what the rescue of Silicon Valley Bank means for the Northern tech scene.

Season 3 - Episode 4: Heroes or villains? Michael and Chris discuss the case for and against Isabel Oakeshott and Sue Gray

Northern Spin Extra: Naomi Timperley talks Ukraine, Dragons’ Den and Steven Bartlett

Season 3, episode 3 of Northern Spin looks at Starmer’s missionary position, Sunak’s big gamble the loathsome Boris Johnson and why Man United’s cup win matters

Northern Spin looks at what Nicola Sturgeon's departure means for northern politics, and what the decline in local newspapers teaches us about accountability and trust

Michael and Chris discuss the best and worst of modern politics and journalism

Michael and Chris finally find something to agree about as former PM Liz Truss and ex Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn make comebacks.

During Rishi Sunak's worst week Michael and Chris take you on a view behind the scenes at the Convention of the North and point out which northerners used it to go "on manoeuvres".

Fresh from the studios of the BBC Michael and Chris return to pick apart the levelling up bids and discuss a few politicians 'on manoeuvres'. Who could block this? Someone has!

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Better Business Summit, Michael and Chris talk to Hannah Cox from the summit about her mission to make business a force for good.

A new logo, a new sponsor, but just the same razor sharp analysis of politics and Northern life from Michael and Chris.

Michael’s unhealthy knowledge of all things Labour reaches new levels while Chris names the Tory MPs ‘on manoeuvres’

Chris and Michael reflect on an unprecedented year of 4 Chancellors, 3 PMs, and 2 monarchs

Refreshingly smart, naturally funny, very down to earth and French. As Labour council leader Elise Wilson made Stockport comfortable around the Greater Manchester table. But what's next?

Michael and Chris discuss the growing industrial action; Labour cosies up to business; and a date with Stockport's Blossoms.

Facing up to racism, affordable childcare and becoming the UK’s first female Asian PM

Gordon Brown’s devolution plans; Northern anger grows at rail chaos; Tories get Chester ‘pelting’