Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

By Steve Richards

Society & Culture

What's Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards about?

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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The Dangerous Allure of ‘Th...

06.28.2022

In a week when Matthew Parris claimed Rishi Sunak was a ‘centrist’ and Keir Starmer proclaimed that Labour was on the ‘centre ground’ I wonder where the ‘centre’ is and what it means… if anything. Plus your brilliant questions on ...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards episodes:

06.28.2022 The Dangerous Allure of ‘The Centre Ground’ In a week when Matthew Parris claimed Rishi Sunak was a ‘centrist’ and Keir Starmer proclaimed that Labour was on the ‘centre ground’ I wonder where the ‘centre’ is and what it means… if anything. Plus your brilliant questions on ...
06.21.2022 Who’s In Charge? In my reflections I suggest that the fragmentation of the railways – with no clear lines of responsibility – is the biggest cause of the current crisis… plus brilliant questions on a range of urgent issues from the BBC’s choice ...
06.14.2022 Cries For ‘Tax Cuts’ and a ‘Battle with Europe‘ The confidence vote that Boris Johnson won narrowly is already having consequences. Tory MPs deploy their new leverage to demand vaguely-defined tax cuts and a new war with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol …but what about the spending ...
06.07.2022 Boris Johnson Limps On Boris Johnson 'won' the vote of confidence in his leadership, but voters will note that many of his MPs don't support him and will wonder why they should, either. If there is a leadership contest most voters will not have ...
05.30.2022 The Jubilee and the State of England As millions enjoy street parties and raise a glass to the Queen - what exactly are they celebrating? Plus, brilliant questions on Partygate and Johnson’s survival. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wed June 8th. Tickets ...
05.23.2022 Sue Gray… and Consequences Time moves on and other issues erupt. But should that reduce the potency of the lockdown parties at Downing Street, and reduce the pressure on the inept Metropolitan Police? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place at June ...
05.17.2022 Brexit: Far From Done Boris Johnson chose to place a border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Now, he faces the dark consequences… Plus, the hidden risk of Keir Starmer’s pledge to resign if he’s issued with a penalty charge notice for Beergate, and ...
05.09.2022 Keir Starmer and 'Beergate' - What We Already Know This week, I reflect on the many lessons arising from the local elections, from the sudden focus on Starmer's future to the fractured state of the UK. Plus, more of your brilliant questions. Rock & Roll Politics returns to Kings ...
05.03.2022 The lessons of Labour’s landslide win in 1997 I reflect on Ukraine and the origins of World War One… plus the lessons of Labour’s victory 25 years ago this week. Also, brilliant questions on issues from sex pests at Westminster to how to fund the NHS… Rock & ...
04.26.2022 When Prime Ministers Fall The mood amongst some Conservative MPs has turned against Boris Johnson, but what are the conditions that bring about the toppling of a Prime Minister by their own party? Plus brilliant questions on the passivity of voters, NHS co-payments, Union ...
04.18.2022 The Return of Partygate This week, I get angry… Plus brilliant questions on all the big themes, and the latest on my Union Jack socks. On Patreon there are bonus podcasts on the Feb ‘74, ‘83 and ‘92 elections. Back us on Patreon, help ...
04.12.2022 The long search for the BBC’s Political Editor In a packed podcast we reflect on the lessons for the BBC in its never-ending attempt to find a Political Editor… Plus, Rishi Sunak, the French Elections, Labour and the need to excite as well as reassure. Plus brilliant questions ...
04.05.2022 Cost of Living Crisis - How Should Labour Respond? A drop in living standards and the return of inflation should be an open goal for Labour, but there are huge challenges for ahead for Labour as well as opportunities presented by the cost of living crisis. Plus, as always, ...
03.29.2022 Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak Both Boris Johnson and Theresa May half-wanted to move their party on from Thatcherism… and yet they both appointed Thatcherite Chancellors. Why did they do so? What were the consequences? Plus brilliant questions ranging from how Labour can oppose Brexit, ...
03.22.2022 Boris Johnson: A Columnist as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's comments linking Ukraine with Brexit show that he is still writing Daily Telegraph columns as a form of leadership. Plus the P&O fire-and-rehire crisis, the language of ‘regulations’ and ‘freedom,’ and your brilliant questions... Join Rock N Roll ...
03.15.2022 Boris Johnson, Ukraine and the Falklands Factor This week’s podcast out early for Patreon followers. Number 10 is briefing that Boris Johnson is proving to be a world leader in the Ukraine crisis, and implying that perceptions of him will improve as they did in relation to ...
03.08.2022 Jonathan Powell on Ukraine, Putin and UK Foreign Policy This week on the podcast, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, reflects on the current international crisis. Jonathan met Putin several times during different phases of his leadership, and has been involved in negotiations - including in Northern ...
03.03.2022 News of a Rock'n'Roll Politics Live Special Join Steve for a special live show covering Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the political tumult it has unleashed across the world. This is the biggest crisis in world peace since the 1940s. What does it mean, and ...
03.01.2022 Views of the Past, National Identity… and War Putin’s view of his country’s recent past propels him to invade Ukraine – and yet his sense of the past is in many ways a wilful misreading. On this at least, he is not alone. Many leaders are burdened by ...
02.21.2022 Freedom I reflect on that most potent and misleading word in British politics, ‘freedom’ – and then we go over to some brilliant questions ranging from Sunak’s chances of becoming PM to latest on UK foreign policy, plus great suggestions for ...
02.14.2022 Global Britain’s Foreign Policy – Posturing And Weakness This week I reflect on British foreign policy in the light of the Ukraine crisis and other sagas in which the UK has played a haphazard role… and Keir Starmer follows a pattern in speaking about foreign policy solely in ...
02.08.2022 Prime Ministers and Number Ten As politics gets even wilder, I reflect on how the make-up and effectiveness of the No.10 operation tells us much about the character of a Prime Minister. Based on the recent past, the structure of Number Ten will neither save ...
02.01.2022 Sue Gray Speaks Her Mind The Sue Gray ‘update’ was more dramatic than expected, but only Conservative MPs have the power to act. Will they? Plus, brilliant questions from around the UK and the rest of the world. Rock’n’Roll Politics is live – and streaming ...
01.24.2022 Epic Week: Live show TONIGHT at Kings Place Steve Richards previews tonight's live show and livestream at Kings Place. Tickets here: Hall: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-24-01/ Stream: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-online-streaming-event-24-01/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01.18.2022 Boris Johnson: Parties and Rules Boris Johnson totters precariously because of the parties in Number 10… even though he himself has never been a great party lover. Why did he not think through those famous consequences? Did he not consider what would happen if the ...
01.11.2022 Keir Starmer Makes His Pitch I analyse Keir Starmer's latest pitch as if it were a classic literary text - which it is not - but there clues in it that are interesting. Speeches are always more revealing than they seem. Plus, brilliant questions from ...
01.04.2022 Two Predictions for 2022 In the first podcast of the New Year, I reflect on two big political taboos that I predict will be broken in 2022, and brilliant questions on the politics of Tony Blair, when governments fall and the latest on Covid. ...
12.21.2021 Lord Frosty Resigns Why the resignation of Lord Frosty Frost shines light on a vast range of the current political landscape… also Covid latest, the North Shropshire by-election, and how they all connect… plus brilliant questions from across the UK and around the ...
12.14.2021 The ‘Freedom’ To Be Selfish I reflect on the state of the modern Conservative party when so many of its MPs fervently oppose modest protections against Covid at a point when the virus is raging once more…plus brilliant questions, reports on the recent live shows ...
12.07.2021 Rishi, Keir and the Times Newspaper Rishi Sunak briefs the Times about his plans to cut taxes as taxes are about to rise… Keir Starmer gives an interview to the paper that makes no waves… plus brilliant questions. Rock’n’Roll Politics: The Christmas Special is live at ...
11.30.2021 Keir Starmer Reshuffles His Shadow Cabinet Keir Starmer has conducted a wide ranging shadow cabinet reshuffle-How significant will the changes be? Plus brilliant questions from around the UK...and the rest of the world. Rock N Roll Politics- The Xmas Special is live at Kings Place on ...
11.21.2021 Trains, Dacre and Marr My reflections on the government's plans for trains in the north of England, Paul Dacre's revealing reasons for pulling out of the OFCOM post and Andrew Marr's equally illuminating statement on why he's living the BBC...plus brilliant questions. Rock N ...
11.14.2021 A Shift In The Opinon Polls The opinion polls- accurate or not- determine the political mood, how leaders are perceived by their parties and the media. What is the significance when some polls show Labour in a rare lead? Plus brilliant questions from across the UK ...
11.08.2021 Boris Johnson and 'Sleaze" The episode explores why long serving Conservative governments become vulnerable when stories about 'sleaze' become a dominant theme...and why B Johnson has distinct cause to be worried...plus brilliant questions from around the UK and the world. Rock N Roll Politics-the ...
11.01.2021 The BBC and 'Impartiality' Rishi Sunak's budget has become mythologised as a 'tax and spend' programme..'a Labour budget'...but is it...? The question highlights issues around 'impartiality' and the BBC. Rock N Roll Politics- The Barnard Castle Special is live at Witham Arts Centre on ...
10.25.2021 Rishi Sunak and Rachel Reeves An analysis of the political duel between the Chancellor and the Shadow Chancellor ..with more to come...plus brilliant questions from around the UK and the rest of the world. Tkts here for Rock N Roll Politics-The Barnard Castle Special on ...
10.17.2021 A Review: Blair and Brown-The New Labour Revolution After the unbearable murder of David Amess-a. defence of politics and elected representatives...and a review of the BBC series on New Labour...that is getting rave plaudits, partly undeserved... Plus brilliant questions... Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Witham ...
10.10.2021 Brexit and Consequences Looking ahead to the live show at Kings Place.... Tickets here for live in the hall: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-live-in-hall/ And here for the live stream: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-online-streaming-event/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.03.2021 B Johnson and his Cabinet espouse the policies of Tony Benn Boris Johnson has become a fan of import controls as a way of increasing wages- a key part of Tony Benn's Alternative Economic Strategy in the the late 70s and early 80s. But in another bizarre twist they are both ...
09.27.2021 Keir Starmer Makes His Moves K Starmer aches to engage with the wider electorate...but with the government facing several deep crises is he right to focus on internal issues at the start of the conference? Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on ...
09.20.2021 Boris Johnson-The most powerful PM in modern times Boris Johnson's reshuffle shows that he is in total command of his government and party....more so than any other recent Prime Minister...at least for now...Plus Andrew Neil and GB News...and an amazing array of questions. Rock N Roll Politics is ...
09.12.2021 Is Boris Johnson Moving The Conservatives To The Left? A look ahead to the Rock N Roll Politics Special streaming live from Kings Place on Sept 13th at 7pm...There's a lot going on! https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-live-in-hall-13-sep/ Streaming tickets : https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-online-streaming-event-13sep/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
09.06.2021 Social Care and the Lack of Political Will Most voters agree that a government must raise taxes to pay for social care.In effect an insurance for care does not come for nothing. Yet the government-like previous administrations- has failed to implement an effective plan even though Boris Johnson ...
08.30.2021 Prime Ministers We Never Had-Part 2 After a short summer break we all need to get together to prepare for an epic autumn...I reflect on Afghanistan and reveal some of the figures included in 'The Prime Ministers We Never Had'..in bookshops from this Thursday..plus brilliant questions. ...
08.09.2021 Prime Ministers We Never Had-Part One Who qualifies for the dubious honour of being a Prime Minister We Never Had? In my new book I argue that there are two qualifications. They must have been seen as a possible PM AND had a feasible chance of ...
08.02.2021 Is Rishi Sunak the Next Prime Minister? Rishi Sunak is spoken of as Boris Johnson's likely successor...Chancellors are often seen as the next Prime Minister..and yet quite a few of them fail to seize the crown and become instead Prime Ministers We Never Had. Is Sunak the ...
07.25.2021 What should the state be doing and how? For the first time since 1979 some Conservatives, including Boris Johnson, seem to be looking towards a more active state...while others, including Rishi Sunak, continue to put the case for 'fiscal conservatism'. How significant is this divide in the modern ...
07.18.2021 'Freedom' Boris Johnson's 'Freedom Day' has become a dangerous farce, with Johnson, Sunak and Javid self isolating..raising big questions about what the complex term 'freedom' means...plus brilliant question on politics and sport, Jeremy Corbyn, what happens to those that defect to ...
07.12.2021 Boris Johnson's ' Freedom to Be Irresponsible Day' B Johnson 'advises' mask wearing should continue in crowded indoor spaces...so the freedom not to do so is granted to the irresponsible who will ignore the advice...limiting the freedom of others..plus brilliant questions on MPs in the wrong parties to ...
07.04.2021 K Starmer Needs To Change Labour Without 'Taking His Party On' Labour won the Batley and Spen by-election against expectations..immediately K Starmer was urged to use his new space to 'take on his party'. But what does that mean? And what evidence is there that an opposition leader that triggers a ...

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