In the run up to the 1997 election, the Conservative government was falling apart over 'sleaze' and rows over Europe. Nearly three decades later, we're back there again. How did it come to this?
Plus brilliant questions on my interview with Lisa Nandy, levelling up and much more...
Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on March 23rd: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/
The Ropetackle, Shoreham on March 29th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ 
The Witham, Barnard Castle April 1st: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ 
The Old Market Theatre, Brighton April 24th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Real Reason For the Return of 'Tory Sleaze'

Based on his live one-man show Rock & Roll Politics, the broadcaster and author Steve Richards takes a twice-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.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

News

Politics

What a silly question. We all know the answer to that one. And yet that was what was asked of Starmer at a point of unusual distinctiveness. He reiterated his unqualified opposition to the Rwanda populism, but did so at that moment of ambiguity. Plus, the defection of Natalie Elphicke: there are many lessons, not least for the media asking the silly question.
Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here. 
I’m live at the Edinburgh Festival with a different show each day. Tickets here.
Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get early, ad-free episodes, live Zooms, merchandise and much more.
Image: Keir Starmer takes a boat trip on the River Tees during a visit to PD Ports on April 18, 2024 in Teesside, England. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Keir Starmer stop the boats?

After the elections, Sunak’s right wing dissenters called off their planned coup even though the results were disastrous for the Tories, while outlining their agenda for the future… which is similar to the one Sunak is pursuing. Do they know what they are doing?
Plus, the dangers of Keir Starmer walking into traps in his attempt to avoid others, and brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics Co-operative. 

Rock & Roll Politics – The Pre-Election Special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here. 
Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sat Aug 11th. A different show every day. Tickets here.
Support the podcast on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes, merchandise, special events and more. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do the Tory Right know what they want?

A First Minister and SNP leader falls after a short tenure. Like the Tory party’s problems in Westminster, does the SNP leadership crisis raise thorny questions well beyond the flaws of one leader? And with what implications?
Rock & Roll Politics: The Pre-Election Special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here
Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon here to get exclusive live events, bonus podcasts, free entry to Steve’s local elections post-mortem, and much more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has the SNP become impossible to lead?

Nigel Lawson once noted that the party that wins the battle of ideas wins elections. He was right. Ideas matter and yet play little part in the contest between Sunak and Starmer. But the Right remain ideologically confident. Will a Labour government be able to counter the anti-state onslaught that is bound to happen? Plus exciting notices and brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at King’s Place, London, on Wed 10 July for a pre-election special. Get tickets here. 

Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get FREE access to Steve’s 2024 Local Elections Post-Mortem live on Zoom, 5pm on Friday 3 May. Analysis, projections and your questions – all free to Patreon people. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who is Winning The Battle of Ideas?

In his last term as Prime Minister, Harold Wilson was seen as old, paranoid and ineffective… yet now we discover he was lively enough to be having an affair. This suggests the caricature might be wrong. What if Wilson was livelier politically too? And what if we choose to see other leaders as stereotypes which do not present anything like the full picture? 
Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon for early episodes, exclusive merchandise and more. 
PLUS get free admission to Steve’s Local Elections 2024 Post-Mortem, live on Zoom at 5pm on Friday 3 May.
https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics
See Rock & Roll Politics live at King's Place on the 10th of July. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Real Reason For the Return of 'Tory Sleaze'

Download our free app to listen on your phone