Shows / Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
Rock & Roll Politics with 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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Episodes
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsCan The Tories Recover While Boris Johnson Remains An MP?
Boris Johnson is making life hellish for Rishi Sunak..causing trouble in relation to the Covid Inquiry, making the front pages most days of the week, making…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Transformation of the Conservative Party-In Conversation with Tim Bale
For a few decades the Conservative Party has changed from an expedient political force with MPs and members loyal to the leadership to a more factional and…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Prime Ministers we never had: Why did they fail to seize the crown?
Suella Braverman and many others contemplating their leadership ambitions, take note. From Rab Butler to Jeremy Corbyn there are reasons why those seen by some…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsWhat is the ‘centre ground’? In conversation with Rafael Behr
In his new book ‘Politics-A Survivor’s Guide’ the columnist Rafael Behr hails the centre ground in contrast to the populist politics that has flourished in the…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsImmigration: Will there ever be a grown up debate?
It’s the silliest and most dangerous debate of the lot. "Too many are coming here…" "The wrong people are coming here..." "The right people can come here…" "We…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsIn Conversation with Sir Antony Seldon
The author of a new book on Boris Johnson reflects on the many reasons why the former prime minister should never have got close to Number 10...and the lessons…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Tory Right Stir...Yet Again
There are echoes with the build up to the 1997 election in the insurrectionary stirrings of prominent Tories...Why did they act with reckless disloyalty…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsIn Conversation with Rob Burley
Following the release of his new book "Why is this Lying Bastard Lying to Me?," I speak to Rob Burley, former editor of Marr, The Andrew Neil Show and…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsA Long Road To The Next General Election
Much will happen between now and the next general election, making it risky to extrapolate too much from last week's local polls. For Rishi Sunak and Keir…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsLong Live The King
When the Queen died, many commentators predicted the country would be traumatised by the loss for a long time. Instead, it was Liz Truss that caused the trauma…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsWho owns ‘Freedom’?
In a video announcing he was standing for a second term, President Biden chose ‘freedom’ as a them – a term normally associated with the Republicans. It’s a…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsHow Did Boris Johnson Last As Long As He Did?
The dangerous chaos of Johnson's leadership is exposed in a new book by historian Anthony Seldon. Yet, we knew most of the sordid details it all at the time -…
- Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
What Makes a Bully?
What is a bully? Dominic Raab has been officially condemned as one, by the inquiry into his conduct in Parliament. But what about Margaret Thatcher, who…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsDouglas Alexander in Conversation
With the SNP in turmoil, former Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander reflects on the rise of nationalism, the collapse of Labour in Scotland, his…
- Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
Striking Nurses and The State We’re In
Not known for their militancy, nurses have rejected the government’s latest pay offer. There's a risk strikes could continue all year, telling us much about…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsNorthern Ireland, Then & Now
I’m in conversation with Rory Carroll, The Guardian's Ireland correspondent and the author of Killing Thatcher — a brilliant new book on the IRA’s 1984 attempt…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsLabour's Attack Ads - Will They Work?
Labour's latest round of attack ads accuse Rishi Sunak of being soft on criminals. It's caused a briefing war in his shadow cabinet and no end of criticism. If…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsQuestion Time Special
It's an Easter Question Time Special! Lessons on Nigel Lawson's career, Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn, the "real" Rishi Sunak... and much more. Remember to send in…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsKeir Starmer vs Jeremy Corbyn
In which I alienate everyone. I don't believe local parties should have the exclusive right to select candidates; the leadership must have a big say. But I…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsIs The UK Economy Doomed? In Conversation with Danny Blanchflower
Danny Blanchflower is a Professor of Economics and was a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee. In our conversation for this week's…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsCan Rishi Sunak Win the Next Election?
A new narrative is taking shape in the media. Rishi Sunak as a grown up, a marked contrast to Johnson and Truss. His 'good weeks' sorting out the Windsor…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsMichael Cockerell in conversation
This week, the legendary chronicler of Prime Ministers, Michael Cockerell, joins me to discuss the rise and fall of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak… and a…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsTony Blair, Iraq.... and the Lessons for Labour Now
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…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsWinning and Governing - Can Keir Starmer be Bolder?
This week I'm in conversation with Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy at Sheffield University, and former adviser to Gordon Brown on climate…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsGary Lineker and the BBC - Will the Lessons be Learnt?
The latest self inflicted BBC crisis, over Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker as his views on the government's immigration policy, has followed the same…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsDanny Finkelstein in conversation
Lord Finkelstein has had a unique career. A Times columnist, Tory peer and former advisor to Prime Ministers and leaders, he got his start as a member of…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsReflections on Leadership and the SNP Contest
Three candidates seek to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland. Why do none of them seem ready for the epic challenges of the role, while…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsReviving New Labour: Starmer’s Only Path to Victory?
This week, I’m in conversation with the chair of Compass, Neal Lawson, who argues the current challenges facing the UK are incomparably different to 1997 — and…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsCan Labour Make Expensive Promises?
In last week’s podcast, the Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, outlined her plans for childcare. But how will they be paid for? Do Labour dare to…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsBridget Phillipson: Preparing For Power
The Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, joins me this week to discuss her plans for childcare, the ending of tuition fees, new roles for schools…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsCan Brexit Ever Be 'Done?'
Rishi Sunak seeks a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol, but faces familiar obstacles in the form of rebels in his own party and the DUP. Plus, Keir…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsWhat the Butler Saw – Lord Butler on life in No.10
The current Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, is in the news most days of the week. Lord Robin Butler, who served under Thatcher, Major and Blair, joins me this…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe BBC, Richard Sharp and ‘Impartiality’
The BBC chair Richard Sharp has lost authority whether he stays or goes. Where does that leave his search for ‘impartiality’? Plus brilliant questions on…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsAndy Burnham in conversation
In my conversation with Andy Burnham, we discuss whether he had more power as a cabinet minister, or now as Mayor of Greater Manchester, his policies since…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsLiz Truss and Her Tiny Target Audience
Liz Truss's comeback was delusional in its lofty grandeur, yet also very narrow. Why did she choose outlets with limited audiences? The answer tells us much…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsChristian Wolmar and The UK's Chaotic Railways
I speak to the the transport expert and host of the Calling All Stations podcast, Christian Wolmar, about the state of the railways, the all-important context…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Fatal Legacy of Boris Johnson
There are deep reasons for the crises erupting around Rishi Sunak, but there is also an immediate one — Boris Johnson…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsNick Timothy on the modern Conservative Party
Nick Timothy, Theresa May's joint chief of staff during her first phase in Number 10, remains a strong believer in the "good that government can do.” He still…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Real Reason For the Return of 'Tory Sleaze'
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…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsLisa Nandy on ‘Taking Back Control’
For the first time the podcast is twice-weekly. We’re joined by shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy to explore how a Labour government would give back…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsBrexit and Scotland: When Leaders Become Trapped
It looks as if agreement can be reached on the Northern Ireland Protocol. But will Rishi Sunak's hardline Brexiteers back a deal? And how does Nicola Sturgeon…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsKeir Starmer and The Year Ahead
The last full year before the General Election is the defining one for a leader of the opposition. Is Starmer ready for the challenges ahead? Plus brilliant…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsRishi Sunak and The Year Ahead
So far, Rishi Sunak has been a ghostly prime minister, but also a stubborn one. Does he understand the scale of the crisis in the UK, and has he the…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsCan we trust elected politicians?
At the end of a year when Boris Johnson fell over issues relating to trust and the likes of Trump have tried to launch a comeback, I reflect on the issue of…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsWhat do Sunak, Streeting and everyone else mean by REFORM?
It’s back. One of the most ubiquitous terms in British politics, “reform”, is in fashion again – but like most prominent terms it is imprecise to the point of…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsA Winter of Discontent... and Consequences
Inflation and the cost of living are the immediate causes of this winter's strikes... but there are much deeper currents. Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsKeir Starmer and the Art of Winning
Well ahead in the polls, Keir Starmer becomes more confident and authoritative. He has learnt the lesson that ‘tax and spend’ debate is impossible for Labour…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsA Train Journey, the Exodus of Tory MPs and Hancock in the Jungle
The three themes are connected… download this week's Rock & Roll Politics to discover how. Plus brilliant questions and much more! Rock & Roll Politics - The…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsBrexit: The Beginning Of The End?
WIth government sources briefing that they want a closer relationship with the Single Market, it looks as if questions are finally being asked about Lord…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsBONUS PODCAST: Electoral Reform - The Question Time Special
So many questions were triggered by last week's Electoral Reform Special that they merit a bonus podcast. The epic themes: Fairness, how to bring about change…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsSunak, Hunt, and The Dangerous Allure of the Past
Paying homage to their fiscal conservatism, Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt turn to recent history for inspiration. But the past is a fickle guide… Rock & Roll…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsHas the Time Come For Electoral Reform?
So here it is ...The Electoral Reform Special! I reflect on why I have been an opponent, and my latest position. And now... over to you! Rock & Roll Politics -…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsHow Rishi Sunak Can Win the Next Election
With the Conservatives miles behind in the polls, the route to election victory is narrow... but not entirely blocked. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Old…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Rishi Sunak Era
Rishi Sunak, the self-declared fiscal conservative, becomes Prime Minister having lost the summer's leadership contest. But will his Thatcherite instincts…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Fall Of Truss: Emergency Podcast
The Liz Truss era is over after just a few weeks. Since 2010, four Conservative Prime Ministers have fallen between general elections, suggesting that Truss is…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsLiz Truss and Consequences
Liz Truss is in the untenable position of supporting an economic policy she opposed with revolutionary disdain during the leadership contest. But can Tory MPs…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Next Labour Government and the Power of Markets
The mighty markets have wrecked the Truss/Kwarteng shallow revolution… but how will they constrain a Labour government if Keir Starmer wins the next election?…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Truss & Kwarteng U-Turn, and Political Space
The Truss and Kwarteng u-turn on tax shows they failed to read the space available to them. How many consequences will there be? This week, there will be…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Revolutionary Conservative Party
Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have unleashed another shallow revolution, the third since 2010. The pound sinks and public services are on their knees. For 12…
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve RichardsThe Return of The Truss Era
The Liz Truss era resumes at breakneck speed. How should Labour respond? In this week's podcast, I reflect on the lessons of Harold Wilson's much-overlooked…