Northern Spin: Recent Episodes
Chris Townsend
Experienced journalists Michael Taylor and Chris Maguire have launched a new political podcast to give a greater voice to the North.
The pair are both former editors of North West Business Insider and have joined forces with Manchester-based agency What Media to produce the ‘Northern Spin’ podcast.
The hosts say the weekly 30-minute podcast will provide insight into current affairs, politics and a bit of business, but from a uniquely Northern perspective.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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 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
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 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!
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?
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 droppingNorthernSpin - Episode 4
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.