With Andy Burnham set to become the UK’s seventh Prime Minister in 10 years, the return of the Northern Spin podcast has been made permanent.

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the podcast returned for two special episodes in the run-up to Burnham’s historic Makerfield by-election victory, paving the way for him to become the next PM.

The podcast, which was first launched in 2022 to give the North a stronger voice, is hosted by BusinessCloud Executive Editor Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna, chief executive and group chairman of Downtown in Business.

The podcast already has listeners as far afield as the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and across Europe.

David Higgerson, chief content officer at publishing giant Reach plc, said: “It’s a belting listen because it does what journalism should: Presents evidence and experiences and looks at the context they create.”

With the country set to get its first Northern-born PM since Harold Wilson in 1976, the decision has been taken to make the Northern Spin podcast a permanent fixture.

The show will be sponsored by Sancus Lending UK, a real estate lender headquartered in Manchester and led by Andrew Charnley.

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Charnley said: “After being away for some time, I’m delighted Northern Spin is coming back permanently.

“It’s never been more important to shine a spotlight on politics in the North, given the current challenges in the UK plus the growing influence the region is having.

“As a Manchester-headquartered company, Sancus is delighted to be sponsoring Northern Spin, Chris and Frank.

“It’s a podcast I always look forward to listening to, given the way in which it explores the issues of the day and what it means for the North”.

Maguire said: “I’m delighted the Northern Spin podcast is back and this time it’s for good.

“I was blown away by the response to the last two episodes and the reach they achieved.

“We’re very grateful that Sancus has sponsored the show.

“Timing is everything in politics and we decided to record our latest episode on the day that Keir Starmer resigned as PM and Andy Burnham returned to Westminster.

“Northern Spin will initially be monthly but it may become fortnightly.”

You can listen to the latest episode here.