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Northern Spin

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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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated July 20

Episodes20

Newest first
  • July 20 · 57 min

    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 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.

  • June 22 · 55 min

    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? 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.

  • June 3 · 38 min

    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 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

  • May 29 · 1 hr 18 min

    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, 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.

  • Nov 13, 2023 · 57 min

    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 "Lord" Cameron. PLUS: Is Manchester in danger of becoming the London of the North?

  • Nov 7, 2023 · 46 min

    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 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.

  • Oct 31, 2023 · 49 min

    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.

  • Oct 24, 2023 · 48 min

    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 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.

  • Sep 26, 2023 · 46 min

    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 changing its name.

  • Sep 19, 2023 · 51 min

    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 Truss.

  • Jul 27, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min

    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.

  • Jul 4, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min

    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 boys.PLUS: Strong views on Lord Zac Goldsmith, Thick Right stalwart Lee Anderson and Kim McGuiness in the North East.DOUBLE PLUS: The travails of cricket.AND LAST BUT BY NO MEANS LEAST: A fulsome tribute to Bob Kerslake.

  • Jun 27, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min

    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 financial time bomb, why the submariners seem to matter more than drowning refugees and witness account of a fight in Marple.

  • Jun 6, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min

    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.