Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Boris Johnson's comments linking Ukraine with Brexit show that he is still writing Daily Telegraph columns as a form of leadership. Plus the P&O fire-and-rehire crisis, the language of ‘regulations’ and ‘freedom,’ and your brilliant questions...   Join Rock N Roll Politics the Patreon version here for lots of bonuses: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Send your questions to Steve at st...

This week’s podcast out early for Patreon followers. Number 10 is briefing that Boris Johnson is proving to be a world leader in the Ukraine crisis, and implying that perceptions of him will improve as they did in relation to Margaret Thatcher after the Falklands. Will they? And what really happened in 1982, when Thatcher went to war?  Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place this Thursday, Mar...

This week on the podcast, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff, Jonathan Powell , reflects on the current international crisis. Jonathan met Putin several times during different phases of his leadership, and has been involved in negotiations - including in Northern Ireland - where resolution in any form seemed close to impossible.   Plus brilliant questions, and news of my Union Jack socks, arriving...

Putin’s view of his country’s recent past propels him to invade Ukraine – and yet his sense of the past is in many ways a wilful misreading. On this at least, he is not alone. Many leaders are burdened by a misreading of their country’s past… with consequences. Plus, brilliant questions from listeners and your suggestions for general election bonus podcasts for Patreon supporters. Help Rock’n’Roll...

I reflect on that most potent and misleading word in British politics, ‘ freedom ’ – and then we go over to some brilliant questions ranging from Sunak’s chances of becoming PM to latest on UK foreign policy, plus great suggestions for General Elections in forthcoming Patreon podcast episodes. Rock’n’Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London, and streaming live, on Monday Feb 21st. Tickets here:...

This week I reflect on British foreign policy in the light of the Ukraine crisis and other sagas in which the UK has played a haphazard role… and Keir Starmer follows a pattern in speaking about foreign policy solely in terms of the never-ending vote losing factionalism in his party. Plus, brilliant questions on the police investigation re Downing Street parties and much more. Help the podcast to...

As politics gets even wilder, I reflect on how the make-up and effectiveness of the No.10 operation tells us much about the character of a Prime Minister. Based on the recent past, the structure of Number Ten will neither save a Prime Minister nor lead them to their doom. The wider political context always determines their fate… Plus, more brilliant questions from the UK and around the world. You...

The Sue Gray ‘update’ was more dramatic than expected, but only Conservative MPs have the power to act. Will they? Plus, brilliant questions from around the UK and the rest of the world. Rock’n’Roll Politics is live – and streaming – at Kings Place on Monday Feb 21st: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-mon-21-feb/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Boris Johnson totters precariously because of the parties in Number 10… even though he himself has never been a great party lover. Why did he not think through those famous consequences? Did he not consider what would happen if the gatherings were leaked? Plus brilliant questions from all parts of the UK, Germany, Poland, Brussels and beyond.  Rock’n’Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London nex...

I analyse Keir Starmer's latest pitch as if it were a classic literary text - which it is not - but there clues in it that are interesting. Speeches are always more revealing than they seem. Plus, brilliant questions from Portugal, Holland, France and of course the UK. Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Mon Jan 24th and also streams live. Tickets here:  https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/wha...

In the first podcast of the New Year, I reflect on two big political taboos that I predict will be broken in 2022, and brilliant questions on the politics of Tony Blair, when governments fall and the latest on Covid. Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Jan 24th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Why the resignation of Lord Frosty Frost shines light on a vast range of the current political landscape… also Covid latest, the North Shropshire by-election, and how they all connect… plus brilliant questions from across the UK and around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I reflect on the state of the modern Conservative party when so many of its MPs fervently oppose modest protections against Covid at a point when the virus is raging once more…plus brilliant questions, reports on the recent live shows and much more. Recorded at Podmasters Studios. Audio production by Robin Leeburn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast...

Rishi Sunak briefs the Times about his plans to cut taxes as taxes are about to rise… Keir Starmer gives an interview to the paper that makes no waves… plus brilliant questions. Rock’n’Roll Politics: The Christmas Special is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham on Wed Dec 8th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special/ And live at Kings Pla...

Keir Starmer has conducted a wide ranging shadow cabinet reshuffle-How significant will the changes be? Plus brilliant questions from around the UK...and the rest of the world. Rock N Roll Politics- The Xmas Special is live at Kings Place on Dec 9th..and also streaming live: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-christmas-special/ Learn more about...

My reflections on the government's plans for trains in the north of England, Paul Dacre's revealing reasons for pulling out of the OFCOM post and Andrew Marr's equally illuminating statement on why he's living the BBC...plus brilliant questions. Rock N Roll Politics-the Xmas Special is live at Kings Place on Dec 9th. https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-p...

The opinion polls- accurate or not- determine the political mood, how leaders are perceived by their parties and the media. What is the significance when some polls show Labour in a rare lead? Plus brilliant questions from across the UK and the world.. Rock N Roll Politics-The Xmas Special is live on Dec 9th at Kings Place. Tkts here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-pres...

The episode explores why long serving Conservative governments become vulnerable when stories about 'sleaze' become a dominant theme...and why B Johnson has distinct cause to be worried...plus brilliant questions from around the UK and the world. Rock N Roll Politics-the Xmas Special is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre on Dec 8th and Kings Place on Dec 9th  Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Rishi Sunak's budget has become mythologised as a 'tax and spend' programme..'a Labour budget'...but is it...? The question highlights issues around 'impartiality' and the BBC.Rock N Roll Politics- The Barnard Castle Special is live at Witham Arts Centre on Sat Nov 6thhttps://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics/Rock N Roll Politics-The Xmas Special is live on Dec 9thhttps:...

An analysis of the political duel between the Chancellor and the Shadow Chancellor ..with more to come...plus brilliant questions from around the UK and the rest of the world. Tkts here for Rock N Roll Politics-The Barnard Castle Special on Sat Nov 6thhttps://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics/And for Rock N Roll Politics-The Xmas Special at Kings Place on Dec 9https://ww...

After the unbearable murder of David Amess-a. defence of politics and elected representatives...and a review of the BBC series on New Labour...that is getting rave plaudits, partly undeserved... Plus brilliant questions...Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Witham Arts Centre in Barnard Castle on Saturday Nov 6th. Tickets here:https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics/ L...

Looking ahead to the live show at Kings Place....Tickets here for live in the hall:https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-live-in-hall/     And here for the live stream:https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-online-streaming-event/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Boris Johnson has become a fan of import controls as a way of increasing wages- a key part of Tony Benn's Alternative Economic Strategy in the the late 70s and early 80s. But in another bizarre twist they are both Bennite and Thatcherite. Rock N Roll Politics is live on October 11 at Kings Place..and there's a live stream too:https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock...

K Starmer aches to engage with the wider electorate...but with the government facing several deep crises is he right to focus on internal issues at the start of the conference? Rock N Roll Politics is live  at Kings Place on Mon Oct 11th:https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-live-in-hall/And is streaming live:https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/...

Boris Johnson's reshuffle shows that he is in total command of his government and party....more so than any other recent Prime Minister...at least for now...Plus Andrew Neil and GB News...and an amazing array of questions. Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 11https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-13-08/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...