Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Steve Richards

Based on his live one-man show Rock & Roll Politics, the broadcaster and author Steve Richards takes a weekly behind-the-scenes tour of UK politics and the media that shapes the way we view the epic political dramas. The future is ridiculously unpredictable and the past is so easy to misread. Subscribe to your weekly guide through seismic times.

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435 episodes
Updated Today

Episodes435

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Today · 39 min
The right is split three ways. What are the consequences?
In the recent Greater Manchester mayoral contest the Conservatives finished behind Reform UK and Restore Britain. The right are split three ways for the first time in British political history, where usually the left vote fractures fatally. What are the implications as Andy Burnham makes his early moves? Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day. Tickets are available here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 28 · 40 min
Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service?
A whole series of prime ministers have promised a National Care service, but none have delivered. Can Andy Burnham? Plus brilliant questions in our never-ending debate on the opening of the Burnham era and the political drama in France. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day. Tickets are available here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 24 · 33 min
Are we going back to the 1970s?
Less than a week since Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, the Greek chorus of commentators have warned that Britain is ‘going back to the 1970s’. But what do they mean, and does it make any sense? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Fringe from Sunday August 16th, with a different show every day. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 21 · 23 min
Will Andy Burnham’s new cabinet deliver the biggest change in 40 years?
Andy Burnham has promised the biggest change in 40 years. Is his new cabinet ready to deliver - and does he know how to bring about the change he seeks? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday August 16th. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 17 · 34 min
Was Keir Starmer more of a change-maker than he seemed?
Keir Starmer takes a bow amidst much talk that he lacked a mission and sense of governing purpose… but what happens if we follow the policy trail rather than all the noise around his leadership? In some respects he was more boldly radical than Tony Blair in his first two years as prime minister. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 14 · 32 min
What are the lessons in the fall and rise of Louise Haigh?
Louise Haigh is a key figure in Andy Burnham’s team and will be back in the cabinet next week when Burnham becomes Prime Minister - a remarkable comeback given she was sacked as Transport Secretary only months after taking up the post. Haigh was widely admired during her brief period in the job but was targeted by Number 10. Now those who targeted her are gone, and she is at the centre of the new regime. There are big lessons about leadership and conviction in her oscillating career. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 10 · 33 min
Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial?
Farage faces Count Binface in his latest campaign. As a potential prime minister, isn’t there a better use of his time? Plus, Bridget Phillipson on how education can be an instrument of freedom, and the challenges of devolution. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 7 · 35 min
How much trouble is Nigel Farage in?
The Reform leader is facing more allegations about donations made before he was an MP. Can he lead a ‘people’s revolt’ when stories erupt around him that suggest he is far removed from ‘the people’? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 3 · 32 min
Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie?
There’s a strong focus on Andy Burnham’s plans for devolution but he has identified a bigger challenge in what he has called ‘the outsourced state’, where unelected agencies and companies run much of Britain. Plus, was Burnham right not to take questions from political editors at the end of his speech earlier this week? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 30 · 33 min
Will Andy Burnham’s big idea work?
Andy Burnham has promised an historic transfer of power from the centre. Unlike some leaders who have made similar pledges he means it. But how will it work? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham this Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 26 · 39 min
Who should be Andy Burnham’s Chancellor?
The answer to this question is hugely significant. Look back and mid-term Prime Ministers fall out badly with their chosen Chancellor - too often Labour Prime Ministers seek to reassure the media and the markets with their choice, only for both to turn on the Chancellor that is supposed to bring ‘stability’. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 22 · 42 min
What does Andy Burnham really think?
I revisit an interview I did with Andy Burnham before the general election, when there was no leadership speculation as Keir Starmer was so obviously heading for victory. We explore where power lies, where power should lie, where he feels he has always stood on the political spectrum, why this is a different landscape to 1997 and much more. It gives a sense of what his priorities are likely to be as he heads towards Number 10. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 19 · 21 min
Andy Burnham wins - what follows?
Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a triumphant margin. What does that mean for the government, and for Reform? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 16 · 43 min
What if Keir Starmer is right on defence?
Keir Starmer navigated around a reluctant Treasury and dissenting minsters to find a further significant increase in defence spending. It was not enough for John Healey and the mighty defence establishment, but where precisely would they find even more money? And would it be spent well? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to make sense of the fallout arising from this week’s historic by-election. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on the 1st of July. Tickets are available here. Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 12 · 48 min
What is the significance of John Healey’s resignation?
The instinctively loyal John Healey has resigned over the level of defence spending about to be announced - what will be the impact on Keir Starmer’s fragile leadership? And how will resources be found to pay for defence and other creaking public services? Plus, we are in an era of multi-party politics, and the new battles between parties are already having a big impact on elections and by-elections. But how big are the differences between the parties on the right,and indeed those on the left? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. And an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 9 · 37 min
Does it matter any more if a by-election candidate is out of their depth?
The Reform candidate in the historic Makerfield by- election has struggled to answer obvious questions about policy and his own social media comments. In today’s dangerous anti-politics mood could this be an advantage for him? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 5 · 42 min
Is Farage as formidable as he appears to be?
This week Nigel Farage has chosen to fuel ‘hatred’ in relation to a horrific murder, seeking to politicise crudely and obviously. Has he been too crude and obvious? Is the fracturing on the right an opportunity for the government, or is it triggering a dangerous debate framed by the far right? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 2 · 36 min
Labour’s battle of ideas - much needed or dangerous?
Tony Blair’s essay has triggered detailed responses from Keir Starmer, potential successors and others within the government. Is this a healthy development for a party that seemed fearful of internal debate. or the start of a fatal divide? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29 · 46 min
What does Tony Blair mean by the ‘radical centre’?
In Tony Blair’s latest long essay he claims to be on the ‘radical centre’. In which case, why are his largely vague arguments welcomed most by those on the right? His elegant writing and capacity to frame big arguments convey a sense of clarity. Time to delve deep to see if he’s as clear as he appears to be. • Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to explore the seismic consequences of the Makerfield by-election, and what could happen next. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here. • Patreon subscribers can sign up for an exclusive live event on Monday 8th of June. • Subscribe to Patreon here to get the main podcast a day early and ad free, plus bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26 · 38 min
Do the fashionable assumptions about Andy Burnham make sense?
Leaders and potential leaders are often far more interesting than the stereotypes reported by political journalists. Is this the case with Andy Burnham? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary: an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.