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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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

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

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.

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!

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’

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

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

This week’s Northern Spin asks: Have the Conservatives turned their back on Levelling Up? Why are so many Tories quitting politics? and Is Andy Burnham set to return to Westminster?

‘It’s all kicking off’

As a new season of Northern Spin starts, Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire discuss the Autumn Statement, councils face cash crisis, World Cup and is art coming home to Manchester?

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.

Michael and Chris held their first live event at The People’s Powerhouse, which is committed to creating a better and more equal North.

On this 10th episode of the Northern Spin podcast Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire discuss Phoenix Nights, the Tory cabinet, Andy Burnham’s choice of Deputy Mayor and Blackpool. Not necessarily in that order.

This week’s episode of Northern Spin looks at what the Tories have achieved in 12 years; greenwashing; and Gary Neville feels the heat

This week’s episode of Northern Spin looks at what the goings on in Westminster mean for the North; China’s growing influence in the region; and the threat of sports washing… from Qatar to Blackburn

On the Northern Spin podcast Chris Maguire and Michael Taylor run the rule over Rishi Sunak’s first day, scrutinise the Red Wall Tory MPs who sacked, then backed, Boris Johnson, and Michael even had some kind words to say about William Wragg. Warning: this podcast is short on name drops. Normal service resumes next week.

As pressure grows on PM Liz Truss, Northern Spin discuss whether she has a future and canvasses the views of several Northern MPs and businesses. Plus Labour’s selections, chippy teas, Stone Roses and why the podcast is going down a storm in Switzerland 🇨🇭

This week on Northern Spin, Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire look at the future of Gary Neville, the power of trade unions, the anti growth coalition, Liverpool’s thriving gaming industry and more name dropping.

This week on Northern Spin, Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire discuss the dreadful messaging from Liz Truss, and Chris tasks Michael with advising the PM on what she should do. Plus, all the usual outrageous name dropping.

This week the Northern Spin podcast is coming from Liverpool where Michael Taylor is attending Labour Party conference and Chris Maguire is hanging out with River Capital, an investment business in the city. On the agenda, the ‘Kami Kwazi’ budget, Labour, fracking and Our Friends in the North.

As life begins to return to normal after the Queen’s funeral, Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire discuss Manchester Airport’s ongoing problems, the challenges facing universities and why it’s a defining week for the Labour and the Conservatives.

It’s been a week that changed the world. The appointment of Liz Truss as Prime Minister on Tuesday was almost forgotten by the sudden death of the Queen on Thursday. Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire paid tribute to the country’s longest-serving monarch before looking at whether Truss will be a good PM for the North.

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?

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.

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

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