Northern Spin

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