The Northern Agenda

Andy Burnham's huge win in Makerfield: what next for Greater Manchester?

Our friends at the Manchester Evening News have taken over the Northern Agenda podcast today, sharing their reaction to Andy Burnham's by-election victory in Makerfield. Daniel J. McLaughlin is joined by the MEN's political writer Iram Ramzan and local democracy reporter Declan Carey to discuss the result, what it means for Greater Manchester, and what we can expect for the Labour Party and Reform UK in the near future. Photo: Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

"I'd say to Sadiq: it is our turn": Lisa Nandy on why the North should host the Olympics, honours system, and Makerfield by-election

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy joins Rob Parsons on a special episode of The Northern Agenda to discuss why she thinks the North is the perfect destination for the Olympics. The Wigan MP chats to Rob about regional inequalities, the Makerfield by-election, and reacts to Andy Burnham's thoughts on the state of the Labour Party. Candidates in the 2026 Makerfield by-election: Liberal Democrats - Jake Austin Count Binface Party - Count Binface Labour Co-op - Andy Burnham Libertarian - Dan Clarke Independent - John Dyer Climate - Ed Gemmell Independent - Paul Gould Monster Raving Loony - Howling Laud Hope Reform - Robert Kenyon Independent - Robert Pownall Restore Britain - Rebecca Shepherd Green - Sarah Wakefield Rejoin EU - Peter Ward Conservative - Michael Winstanley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

"This is very much a FIVE-PARTY system now": reaction to the Greens victory in Gorton and Denton

Fiona McCudden is joined by Manchester Evening News reporter Stephen Topping and Northern Agenda editor Graeme Whitfield in the morning after Hannah Spencer's victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election. They discuss how the Green Party won their first ever by-election, the anger felt toward Keir Starmer and the Labour government, and whether it would have made a difference if Andy Burham would have been allowed to run for the Greater Manchester seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

British values, immigration and Oasis: reflections from the Gorton and Denton by-election hustings

On a special edition of the Northern Agenda podcast, Rob Parsons is joined by Beth Abbit of the Manchester Evening News to reflect on a hustings for five of the candidates hoping to be the next MP for Gorton and Denton. The hopefuls were quizzed on issues like British values, child poverty, immigration, Andy Burnham and even their favourite Oasis song during an hour long debate at the office of the Manchester Evening News. What were the big talking points for the candidates: Conservative Charlotte Cadden, Matt Goodwin of Reform UK, Jackie Pearcey of the Liberal Democrats, Green Hannah Spencer and Labour's Angeliki Stogia? Rob and Beth - a constituent in Gorton and Denton - discuss what they learned from the hustings and how the three-horse race is so hard to predict ahead of the vote on February 26. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

'This is personal': Why Rachel Reeves is spending £45bn on Northern Powerhouse Rail

Government Minister, metro mayors, journalists and political advisors all gathered in orange hi-vis jackets at a rail depot in Leeds today to hear an announcement by Rachel Reeves they hope will be a game-changer for the North's transport links. Leeds MP Ms Reeves has promised the Government will set aside £45bn to pay for Northern Powerhouse Rail, the project designed to speed up rail links between the North's big cities. But after so many broken promises, does anyone in the North believe it will actually happen? On a special edition of the Northern Agenda podcast, Rob Parsons speaks to the Chancellor about why this project is personal for her and what it will mean for the North's economy. Rail Minister Peter Hendy explains what the announcement will mean for the North's commuters - and are metro mayors Andy Burnham and Tracy Brabin happy with what they've heard? The Northern Agenda is a Reach production, presented by Rob Parsons and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]