Ten days left in this General Election campaign and we are beside ourselves with excitement, as change seems inevitable and we prepare to welcome a Labour government. Well, hardly. Keir Starmer may be on course to win a healthy majority on 4th July, but expectations of what he and his colleagues will deliver is not particularly high. Will Labour deliver more than people are expecting?

For Rishi Sunak, surely polling day can’t come quickly enough. From his rain drenched launch, his D-day disaster, and his Sky TV faux pas - he is now having to deal with a gambling scandal within his unmanageable party. Has there ever been a worse election campaign?

And, over the weekend, we sadly learned of the passing of a Manchester legend. A few words from me about the great Sir Howard Bernstein.

Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.

Listen to Frank McKenna in Conversation with Sir Howard Bernstein HERE.

Read Frank's LinkedIn post about Sir Howard Bernstein HERE.

The polls are not shifting- in fact they are getting worse for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives. With just over two weeks to go before polling day, Is there anything the Tories can do to prevent the predicted wipe out?

Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.

To subscribe to DIBs weekly bulletin TFI Friday - CLICK HERE.

For more information about Escape Executive Chauffeurs - CLICK HERE.

Rachel Reeves called him a liar, Penny Mordaunt said he was completely wrong, Nadine Dorries said he should resign. And Nigel Farage is back. Its been the week from hell for Rishi Sunak - can he possibly recover?

Far right and populist parties have enjoyed a surge of support in the European elections- what are the implications? And closer to home, the end of an era, as Joanne Roney swaps Manchester for Birmingham.

Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.

To subscribe to DIBs weekly bulletin TFI Friday - CLICK HERE.

Why did Rishi Sunak call the election, why do the Tories hate young people? Why did Keir Starmer get himself into such a mess over Diane Abbott? Why did Ed Davey end up in the shit? And why, oh why, oh why did Nigel Farage appear on BBC's Question Time last week? Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.

To subscribe to DIBs weekly bulletin TFI Friday - CLICK HERE.

With an exquisite sense of timing Downtown's Managing Director and chair of the Downtown Den podcast is not here. While Rishi Sunak was getting drenched in Downing Street announcing the General Election, our Frank was getting ready to slap on the sun cream in Florida.

So in the absence of Florida Frank it is left to Jim Hancock and Jo Phillips to comment on the opening of the campaign and asking why the Prime Minister did it.

Welcome to the latest Downtown Den politics podcast.

Prime ministers pledges, porn stars and polls. Welcome to the latest Downtown Den politics podcast.

To subscribe to DIBs weekly bulletin TFI Friday - CLICK HERE.

A controversial defection from the Tories to Labour, an upturn in the economy, and a new, old leader for the SNP. Plus, could global conflict actually be good news for the Conservatives electoral chances? Welcome to the Downtown Den politics podcast.

To subscribe to DIBs weekly bulletin TFI Friday - CLICK HERE.

After a flying visit to Tees Valley, where Ben Houchen had secured another term as Tory mayor, the prime minister went to bed on Friday evening dreaming of a similar success for Andy Street in the West Midlands- and there were even rumours that the Conservatives could steal an unlikely victory in London!

However, less than 24 hours later, Rishi Sunak’s dreams had turned to dust. Sadiq Khan won an historic third term in the capital - and Labours Richard Parker had narrowly defeated Street in Birmingham.

Combined with the loss of almost 500 council seats, and a huge reversal in the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election, by Sunday morning the PM was waking up to a lecture from Suella Braverman.

Two sleeps is a long time in politics...

What next for Sunak and the Tory Party?

Welcome to the latest Downtown Den Politics podcast.