Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

There are deep reasons for the crises erupting around Rishi Sunak, but there is also an immediate one — Boris Johnson. https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Rock N Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21st: https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ London, March 23th Kings Place https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast, March 26th, Black Bo...

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 sees support for a more active state as the most fruitful route for his party, despite the state-shrinking campaigns of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Does his view have much support amongst Tory MPs, and was Theresa May ever fully committed to...

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-ric...

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 control to local communities. Back us on Patreon to get all our podcasts early, bonus editions and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live are available now. Come and see Steve at… Kings Pl...

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 find a route to independence? Plus brilliant questions and a big announcement. Back the podcast on Patreon for bonus podcasts and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live are available no...

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 questions on Rishi Sunak, the NHS, trust and authenticity… and much more. Tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live are available now. Come and see Steve at…  Kings Place, London – live and streaming online on Thur 21 March The Ropetackle, Sho...

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 ideological flexibility to adapt? The answers will determine whether he has a chance of narrowing the gap in the opinion polls, and in the quality of all our lives... Plus, brilliant questions and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is live in March a...

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 trust in the era of globalisation. It takes the form of a talk I gave at Newcastle University recently. ‘Trust’ is one of the most interesting terms because the nature of politics demands some evasiveness at least. But has trust between voters...

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 absurdity. Plus more brilliant questions from our listeners. Treat yourself and friends to festive gifts like tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live, the dream Xmas present… Live at Kings Place, London, Thur 23 March 2023:  https://www.ki...

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 podcasts and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to win in opposition but can be won in government. In my view the opposite applies to constitutional reform…Plus, brilliant responses to Hancock in the jungle and whether trains are better in Europe. Rock & Roll Politics – The Christmas S...

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 Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on Monday December 5th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special-2/ The Christmas Special is also live at the Old Market Theatre, Brighto...

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 "Frosty" Frost's disastrous hard Brexit. But where will they lead? Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on Monday December 5th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-chri...

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, wider constitutional reform, the broader context, and more... Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on December 5th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special-2/ I'm...

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 Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on December 5th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special-2/   I'm also live at the Old Market Theatre, Brighton on Dec 12th: https://www.theo...

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 - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on December 5th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special-2/ I'm also live at the Old Market Theatre, Brighton on Dec 12th: https://www.theoldmarket....

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 Market Theatre Brighton for a Christmas Special on December 12th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics Subscribe on Patreon for the new, exclusive series on governmental cock-ups - new episode on Tony Bl...

Rishi Sunak, the self-declared fiscal conservative, becomes Prime Minister having lost the summer's leadership contest. But will his Thatcherite instincts allow him to rise to the epic challenges ahead?  Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 26th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-7/ I’m also live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on Oct 27th...

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 part of a deeper pattern... Rock & Roll Politics: The (Post) Liz Truss Era is live at Kings Place on October Weds 26th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-7/ Back the podcast for early, ad-fre...

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 agree on an alternative? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 26th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-7/ I’m also live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on Oct 27th; just a few tickets...

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? Plus brilliant questions and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London on October 26: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-7/  And Rock & Roll Politics: The Christmas Special is live fo...

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 analysis, brilliant questions, and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wed Oct 26th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-7/ Sign up to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much...

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 years, the UK has become a laboratory for whacky economic experiments. But will passive England vote for more? Rock n Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on October 26th, as the drama intensifies… https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/r...

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 leadership with Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow International Trade Secretary and author of Harold Wilson - The Winner. Plus, brilliant questions on the monarch and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is live - and streaming - this Thursday at Kin...

Can a monarch genuinely define an era while being unable to express a view or implement policies that can change lives? Plus more brilliant questions from our listeners. Email yours to steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics: The Start of the Liz Truss Era is live at Kings Place London on Thursday September 22nd and streaming live. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/r...