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Northern Spin

by Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna

Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna are Northern-based political commentators and co-hosts of the Northern Spin podcast. Maguire is an award-winning journalist and Executive Editor of BusinessCloud, while McKenna is Chief Executive and Group Chairman of Downtown in Business. Launched in 2022, Northern Spin was created to give the North a stronger voice - cutting through Westminster noise with sharp analysis of politics, business and media from a distinctly Northern perspective. Now, as Andy Burnham becomes the first Northern-born Prime Minister since Harold Wilson in 1976, Northern Spin returns to separate fact from spin and bring listeners authoritative insight from the North.

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Episodes

  1. Can Andy Burnham turn good vibes into hard choices?

    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…

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  2. Andy Burnham: Great communicator or TikTok PM?

    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…

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  3. Northern Spin – Season 6 – Episode 4: Burnham promises hope, but can he deliver change?

    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...

  4. Northern Spin - Season 6 - Episode 3: Starmer quits – but is Burnham ready for No. 10?

    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?…

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  5. Northern Spin - Season 6 - Episode 2: Can the real Andy Burnham please stand up?

    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…

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  6. Northern Spin – Season 6 – Episode 1: Can Brand Burnham Beat Reform?

    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,...

  7. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 10: Dial D for Dave (or Desperate)

    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…

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  8. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 9: Why Politicians Cosy up to Business

    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...

  9. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 8: Is the BBC Biased?

    A deep dive into the national broadcaster. Is it covering “both sides” fairly in the Gaza war?Plus: Rachel Reeves feels the pressure over plagiarism row, and a heartfelt plea to check your alcohol use following Matthew Perry’s tragic death.

  10. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 7: Keep the faith - Northern Soul, Tory wipeout, Starmer and Israel

    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…

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  11. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 6: Labour in Liverpool: Starmer's Sparkles and Mandy's Moves

    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.

  12. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 5: Advantage Labour

    As Labour woos businesses and unions in Liverpool, the Tories reflect on a disastrous conference in Manchester. Plus: Michael reports on his recent trip to Israel.

  13. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 4: Why Is Rishi Sunak So Terrible at Politics?

    Cancelling Net Zero measures, considering tax cuts for the wealthiest 4% and casting doubt over HS2, is Rishi Sunak being true to himself or just badly advised?PLUS: the Liberal Democrats on manoeuvres, the conspiracy mob at work again and the strange tale of the University of Bolton maybe…

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  14. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 3: The Great HS2 Misselling Scandal

    Another packed podcast with reports from the Preston front on why it’s not a radical city. Chris is impressed by smooth talking Tories, while Michael revisits Alderley Edge, home of Boris Johnson’s newest peer. Plus: the voice Craig Fairbrass, Gary Neville on manoeuvres, and the brass neck of Liz...

  15. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 2: What Does 'Off the Record' Really Mean?

    In defence of Dan Hewitt, why Tony Blair is the most powerful man in the Labour Party, why the Labour reshuffle is all about the North and some rare praise for a Tory from Michael Taylor. PLUS: the local government funding crisis and a refresh on which snowflakes we're blocked by.

  16. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 1: Labour Reshuffle and the Future of Journalism

    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.

  17. Northern Spin Extra: 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.

  18. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 9: Labour control freakery, Keegan's beef with Burnham and the ludicrous Mr Fox (Laurence, that is)

    In another shocking week for the Conservatives, we take a look at why Gillian Keegan picked a fight with Andy Burnham, some insights into the strange behaviour of water company United Utilities and what led to another Labour dissenter getting the rough treatment from Sir Keir Starmer's bully...

  19. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 8: A RADICAL PLAN TO DO BREXIT PROPERLY

    Seven years since the political earthquake of the vote to Leave the EU, so much division still exists. These two Remain voters suggest a path to reconciliation and a sensible future with European neighbours. PLUS: More Tyson Fury, local MP in Twitter block scandal, the university sector's…

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  20. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 7: How The Tories Could Win The Next Election, But Why They Won’t

    Rishi Sunak’s problems are far from over, rising mortgage rates are hitting home owners and soaring anger over parties and sleaze aren’t helping. Plus: a visit to Tyson Fury’s favourite seaside burger joint, some anger about vaping, big food companies and the antics of the Daily Mail.

  21. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 6: After The Clown Show, It’s Time To Get Serious

    Boris ‘Pinnochio’ Johnson has debased public life, but is there still life in the Tories who were elected on his watch? Plus: reports from summer festivals, including close encounters with Michael Gove, Rachel Reeves, Sir John Major, Alastair Campbell and Susanna Hoffs.

  22. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 5: Labour Under the Cosh

    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.

  23. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 4: Hanging out with the Labour Creatives

    On this week's Northern Spin, Michael reports back from Angela Rayner's barnstorming speech at the Labour Creatives event, a Tory attempt to spin bad news about the railway falls flat and Chris has some very serious advice following his own experiences with skin cancer.

  24. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 3: STARMER’S (NO) FRIENDS UP NORTH

    Michael and Chris talk about spats. Why doesn’t Keir Starmer get on with Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner? Why doesn’t THG’s Matt Moulding get on with the FT? Why doesn’t Ben ‘Blocker’ Houchen get on with anyone not a Tory?

  25. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 2: What Is a Conservative?

    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.

  26. Northern Spin - Season 4 - Episode 1: Tories Lose Everywhere to Everyone

    We’re back after a short break of moonlighting on other podcasts and obsessive election analysis. Also, Andy Burnham’s next six years, the NHS in crisis and who’s funding Labour’s pro-business charm offensive?

  27. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 10: End of Season Nailbiter! Local Elections, Doctors Strike, Succession Issues!

    In the season 3 finale of Northern Spin Michael and Chris take you to the places across the North where the local elections will be most fiercely fought, with insights into voter ID, LibDem bar charts, low turnouts and insurgent independents. PLUS: just for the regulars. a ding dong over doctors.

  28. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 9: When They Go Low... We Go Lower

    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.

  29. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 8: Press Freedom Under Attack and Beware of Grifters

    This week the ‘Carlos Tevez of business journalism’ and Chris discuss the world’s worst photo shoot for a PM and politicians getting crabby with the press. PLUS: Cricket’s big racism row

  30. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 7: Locked horns, is Sunak beating Starmer?

    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.

  31. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 6: Burnham's devo boost, while Johnson faces truth

    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.

  32. Northern Spin Extra: Budget special with economist Nicola Headlam

    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.

  33. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 5: Cruella Braverman, Gary Lineker and compassion

    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...

  34. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 4: Heroes or villains?

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

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

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

  36. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 3: Starmer’s Missionary Position, Sunak’s Big Gamble and the Politics of Football

    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

  37. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 2: Sturgeon, Labour's Invisible Shadow Cabinet and Steven Bartlett

    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

  38. Northern Spin - Season 3 - Episode 1: Political integrity - RIP

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

  39. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 10 - Comedy Double Act Truss and Corbyn Return

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

  40. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 9 - Inside the Convention of the North

    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".

  41. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 8 - Blocked and shocked!

    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!

  42. BETTER BUSINESS SUMMIT SPECIAL

    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.

  43. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 7 - A Love Letter to Good Journalism

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

  44. Northern Spin - Season 2 - episode 6. QUIZ TIME

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

  45. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 5: 2022 review.

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

  46. Northern Spin Extra - Special guest, Elise Wilson

    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?

  47. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 4: STRIKE OUT

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

  48. Northern Spin Extra - Special guest, Vimla Appadoo

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

  49. Northern Spin - Season 2 - Episode 3: Browned Off

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

  50. Northern Spin LIVE - Power to the People

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

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna are Northern-based political commentators and co-hosts of the Northern Spin podcast.

Maguire is an award-winning journalist and Executive Editor of BusinessCloud, while McKenna is Chief Executive and Group Chairman of Downtown in Business.

Launched in 2022, Northern Spin was created to give the North a stronger voice - cutting through Westminster noise with sharp analysis of politics, business and media from a distinctly Northern perspective.

Now, as Andy Burnham becomes the first Northern-born Prime Minister since Harold Wilson in 1976, Northern Spin returns to separate fact from spin and bring listeners authoritative insight from the North.

HOSTED BY

Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna

CATEGORIES

government

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Northern Spin have?

Northern Spin currently has 65 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Northern Spin about?

Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna are Northern-based political commentators and co-hosts of the Northern Spin podcast. Maguire is an award-winning journalist and Executive Editor of BusinessCloud, while McKenna is Chief Executive and Group Chairman of Downtown in Business. Launched in 2022, Northern...

How often does Northern Spin release new episodes?

Northern Spin has 65 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Northern Spin?

You can listen to Northern Spin on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Northern Spin?

Northern Spin is created and hosted by Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna.
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