Twenty years later the question is still posed. Why did Tony Blair decide to go to war in Iraq? I argue that his decision was not an aberration, but part of his flawed 'third way' approach to leadership — one that appears to be a mighty influence on Keir Starmer now.
Rock & Roll Politics is live:
Birmingham, March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/
King's Place London, Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/
Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/
Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/
Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/
Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023
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Tony Blair, Iraq.... and the Lessons for Labour Now

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.

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Politics

Rishi Sunak surprised most of us by calling an election for July 4th. Why has he done it when he's 20 points behind? What will happen in the campaign and how will the parties handle the new levels of intense scrutiny? It’s time for the Rock N Roll Politics co-operative to gather more often than usual to make sense of the suddenly changed political context… The election is only six weeks away!
Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th
I'm also live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sun Aug 11th with a new show every day. Get tickets here. 
Written and presented by Steve Richards
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The Election Bonus

A familiar pattern forms again: scandals, cover up, victims struggling to prove the truth and an inquiry that reveals a dysfunctional state. Where does power lie in the UK? And what happens next?
Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th 
I'm also live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sun Aug 11th with a new show every day. Get tickets here. 
Written and presented by Steve Richards
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Contaminated Blood – Will the familiar lessons ever be learnt?

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)
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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. 
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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.
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Tony Blair, Iraq.... and the Lessons for Labour Now

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