Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

• Give or get 20% off a year’s Patreon support for the pod in our Black Friday sale .. Increasing numbers of voters feel disconnected from what happens in Westminster, Washington D.C, and most places where democratic politics is played out, leaving space for populists to feed off the angry indifference. Can the likes of Keir Starmer address the ‘people’s revolt’? Plus brilliant questions from the...

The Conservatives have elected yet another leader in yet another challenging context. Does Kemi Badenoch have the epic qualities required to revive the party’s fortunes? Plus: the Budget, Harris v Trump, more brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices. See Rock & Roll Politics live: • The Ropetackle in Shoreham on Weds 6 Nov. Tickets here...

This week Rachel Reeves will deliver the most anticipated budget in modern times. Can she significantly change the UK’s economic prospects and the course of a wobbly government? Plus brilliant questions from the Rock& Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices. Rock & Roll Politics Live: • The Ropetackle in Shoreham, Weds 6 Nov. Tickets here. • Kings Place London, Weds 27 N...

Some chancellors determine the fate of their governments with their budget – and Rachel Reeves may do so on October 30th. But prime ministers have no equivalent levers. Does this make some chancellors more powerful than their prime ministers?  Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon . Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on November 27th. Come and join Steve for the final show of th...

I am obsessed by the qualities required to be an effective leader, as members of the co-operative know. On reflecting on the death of Alex Salmond I discovered another underexplored quality in leadership – and I discuss the significance of Labour’s attempt to create an active state. Plus brilliant questions from the Rock n Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices. Rock n Roll Pol...

Sue Gray has gone and Morgan Mcsweeney is in charge. Where does this leave Keir Starmer and his confused and confusing government? Plus brilliant questions from the Rock n Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices. Subscribe to Patreon here  for bonus podcasts and much more. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...

The Conservatives were slaughtered at the latest election, and yet its leadership candidates are still singing the same old tune. Is the party weaker now than it was in 1997? Plus brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place next Monday. Tickets here:  https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/...

The first Labour conference after a landslide win should be celebratory, but in Liverpool the mood is uncertain. Can Keir Starmer give his government a clearer sense of purpose?   Rock n Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on October 7th. Tickets here! Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

The Lib Dems won 72 seats at the election. While this is an epic achievement, it will have little influence over a government with a commanding majority. But is there one policy where they could play an historic role? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on October 7th. Tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Lea...

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are refusing to budge over the winter fuel payment saga – and both argue they are willing to be unpopular if the decision is the 'right one'. But is this the smart strategic course? And is unpopularity an inevitable consequence of 'tough' leadership? Plus, answers to brilliant listener questions and some vital assembly notices... Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings...

Whoever wins the Tory leadership contest will face a titanic task. Are any of the six candidates up to it? And can Labour make the most of the political space while they decide?  Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon. Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 7th after the party conferences. Tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

In Keir Starmer’s first major speech as Prime Minister he argues things will get worse before they will get better… Is this the right message and approach? Why are incoming Labour governments so much more cautious than their Conservative equivalents?  Rock & Roll Politics is live at King’s Place London on Mon October 7. Tickets here Support the podcast on Patreon here for live events, bonus po...

The macho briefings against Sue Gray have echoes with those against Marcia Williams in the Harold Wilson era, and could have disruptive consequences. Plus latest from the Edinburgh Festival. Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival every day until August 24, with a different show every time for the whole festival. Tickets here Support the podcast on Patreon here for live events, bonus...

With Reform breathing down their necks should the next Tory leader seek to work with Farage or try to destroy him? Either route is fraught with explosive problems… Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival every day until August 24, with a different show every time for the whole festival. Tickets here Support the podcast on Patreon here for live events, bonus podcasts, the main podcast...

There are attempts to elevate the activities of criminal thugs by suggesting that they are “on to something”. Are they? Plus brilliant questions on the riots, Rachel Reeves, and how to pronounce Kamala. Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival from Sun Aug 11th and then every day, with a different show every time for the whole festival. Tickets here . Back the podcast on Patreon here...

Labour was not candid about the state of public finances before the election. Can it be so now, without losing public trust?   Back us on Patreon to join the Post-Election Post-Mortem on ZOOM on Tue 30 July – plus you’ll get bonus podcasts, live events, exclusive merchandise and much more.   Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival from Aug 11th and then every day, with a different sh...

President Biden will not fight a second term… but it's taken him a long time to reach an obvious conclusion that was right in front of us. And he’s not alone. Most leaders do not dare to accept that it’s over when it is. Plus, more on Labour's foreign policy, your questions and much more. Back us on Patreon to join the Post-Election Post-Mortem on ZOOM on Tue 30 July: https://www.patreon.com/posts...

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump is a symbol of a disturbed democracy and will be another destabilising factor for the US. UK Prime Ministers choose to hug the US close, but how reliable an ally is the US for a British government seeking a more mature foreign policy after the reckless misrule of recent years? Plus: Why England losing is part of a reassuring pattern…your brilliant questi...

Keir Starmer is only the third Labour leader to enter Number 10 having won a landslide. Only Attlee and Blair achieved similar results. Starmer has the bonus of facing a demoralised and divided Tory party. How will he make use of rare political space? Plus, as ever, your brilliant questions.  Rock & Roll Politics is live daily at the Edinburgh Festival with a brand new show every day from Aug...

Labour's mammoth lead has been virtually unchanged from the start of the campaign six weeks ago. Despite this the election has been full of surprises and if we look closely enough there is much to discover from the oddest campaign in decades. Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon. Rock & Roll Politics – the post election special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. If the polls are right...

A special bonus episode! We recorded the Rock & Roll Politics live show at Kings Place in London on the 24th of June for all to listen back to. It’s the only show of the election campaign, complete with unreliable predictions, reflections on all the main parties and audience questions. Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon . Rock & Roll Politics – the post election special is live at...

Most Labour leaders have argued that economic growth is the key to improving public services but will the distinct policies of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves deliver?  Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon . Rock n Roll Politics – the post election special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. If the polls are right it will be the first live show at Kings Place under a Labour government. Tick...

The Tory papers and their online equivalents are used to setting the agenda, having played their part in successive election victories for the Conservatives. The BBC has tended to be heavily influenced by these newspapers. So how will they respond to a transformed political landscape and how should a Labour government deal with the media?  Plus brilliant questions on Farage, the implications of a...

Look at the government's own figures and it's obvious that taxes and borrowing will have to rise or else there will be further cuts to the UK's decaying public services. Why can't the parties be more honest? Has it always been like this in elections? What are the consequences?  Plus brilliant questions and a key notice for the Rock N Roll Politics co-operative. Rock N Roll Politics – The Election...

Behind the surface frenzy of the Diane Abbott saga are two overlooked questions. Does a leader have a right to have a say who is selected as candidates? What is the role of an MP? The ambition of all candidates is to be an MP, but is there any clear sense of what's expected of an MP? In this case also there are questions about how Keir Starmer and his unelected allies manage or mismanage their par...