Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

New Prime Minister Liz Truss is set to overturn Tory orthodoxies in place since this long-serving government was elected in 2010. What will the consequences be and what are the implications for Labour? Rock & Roll Politics is live - and streaming - at Kings Place on Monday September 19th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-6/ Join as a patron for exc...

We had no time for listeners' questions earlier this week, so here's a bonus podcast with some of the brilliant ones I received, plus my reflections on the BBC and its board member, former Tory strategist Sir Robbie Gibb. Rock & Roll Politics - The Liz Truss Special is live at Kings Place on Monday Sept 19th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-6 Learn more about y...

Here is the 14th and final show at this year's Edinburgh Festival, in which the audience makes predictions on Liz Truss and Nicola Sturgeon, and I reflect on the ultimate irony of the Tory Leadership contest. Rock & Roll Politics - The Liz Truss Special is live at Kings Place on Monday Sept 19th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-6/   Subscribe on P...

Meeting some of the members of the Rock & Roll Politics Co-operative has got me thinking, and so have the audiences at my live shows… Plus, I review some of the events and shows I've seen at the Fringe, including those in which Nicola Sturgeon and Keir Starmer were centre stage. Send your questions to steveric14@icloud.com , and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to grow the Co-operat...

As in the 1970s, soaring fuel bills are transforming political assumptions and orthodoxies, with only the candidates to be the next PM struggling to catch up. And as always, your questions. Send them in to steveric14@icloud.com! Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics Rock & Rol...

While the Tory leadership candidates row over tax cuts, there are bigger questions: what to do about Brexit labour shortages, and how will the war in Ukraine end? Plus brilliant questions from the importance of a leader's chosen confidant and adviser to the essence of 'authenticity'. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Mon Aug 15th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfring...

Liz Truss presents herself as the change maker in a time of turmoil. Keir Starmer must do the same, even if the focus groups and the influence of mid-’90s New Labour point to an alternative, risky route of extreme caution…  Plus brilliant listener questions. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival every day from Mon Aug 15th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/s...

Some Conservative members want their next Prime Minister to be... Boris Johnson. A man who shares this view is... Boris Johnson himself, who anticipates a return to Number 10 despite the current race to replace him. Plus the undeserved elevation of Margaret Thatcher to god-like levels, even among non-Conservatives, and brilliant audience questions. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh...

To my surprise we are learning a lot from the contest even though the candidates are saying very little. The biggest lesson so far: Get ready of political storms this autumn when the winner seeks to implement their economic policies. Also this week, more of your brilliant questions. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Monday August 15th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfrin...

For the third time since 2016 the Conservatives alone will elect a new Prime Minister. Yet the rest of us are excluded from the tax cutting, small state fantasy. In this episode: how the party has changed since the contest that followed the fall of Margaret Thatcher. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Aug 15th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steve-...

For understandable reasons, there are more raging questions about Johnson’s lack of a moral compass. His hesitation in responding to the allegations about former deputy whip Chris Pincher relate to his tendency to misjudge the nature of every challenge, from Covid to Brexit…  Plus, your brilliant questions on the ill defined ‘centre ground’. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festiv...

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 Mick Lynch, Boris Johnson, the by-elections and much more. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Monday Aug 15th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfr...

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 of panellists to Northern Ireland to what happens if the Conservatives win the next election but Johnson loses his seat. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh F...

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 increases the same Tory MPs also want? And as the UK economy totters on the cliff’s edge, how would it cope with an economic battle with the EU? Rock &...

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 a role - and all candidates will pitch to the right in order to win.  Rock & Roll Politics is live and streaming live on Wed June 8th - A Tory Leadership Special. Tickets her...

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 here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-8-jun/ My new series on Prime Ministers and their advisers, starting with Boris Johnson and...

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 8th, and we have a lot to pack in. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-8-jun/ Sign up to Patreon for bonus podcasts and much mo...

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 brilliant questions from the UK and around the world. Send in your questions from your runs, bakes, and rows to steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is...

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 Place on June 8th. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-8-jun/   Tickets for my live shows at the Edinburgh Festival are als...

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 & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on June 8th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-8jun/ Support us on Patreon and get bonus podcasts, early editions a...

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 Jack socks and much more. Patrons to Rock & Roll Politics get episodes early and an exclusive podcast on the 2017 general election, out this Friday!...

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 us grow, and get amazing merchandise and perks too: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast...

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 and why all of us at Rock’n’Roll Politics should form a co-operative. Back Rock’n’Roll Politics on Patreon, help us grow, and get amazing merchandise and perks too: http...

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, your brilliant questions… There’s a new bonus podcast on the Patreon version of Rock n Roll Politics, discussing the 1992 General Election. Sign up now to listen! https://www.p...

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, to why Prime Ministers make terrible mistakes, and on to a new favourite theme of listeners: tuition fees. Good or bad? Support Rock’n’Roll Pol...