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 Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham battles to win the Makerfield by-election — and positions himself for a potential future run at No.10 - Northern Spin returns to separate fact from spin and bring listeners authoritative insight from the North.

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

    4d ago

    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

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

    May 29

    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.

    1h 18m
  3. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 10: Dial D for Dave (or Desperate)

    11/13/2023

    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?

    57 min
  4. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 9: Why Politicians Cosy up to Business

    11/07/2023

    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.

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

    10/31/2023

    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.

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

    10/24/2023

    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.

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

    10/17/2023

    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.

    49 min
  8. Northern Spin - Season 5 - Episode 5: Advantage Labour

    10/10/2023

    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.

    54 min
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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 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 Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham battles to win the Makerfield by-election — and positions himself for a potential future run at No.10 - Northern Spin returns to separate fact from spin and bring listeners authoritative insight from the North.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Maguire & Frank McKenna
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NortherSpin 2022
  • Show Website
    Northern Spin

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