Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards Rachel Reeves - and consequences
Nov 25, 2025
Rachel Reeves faces a challenging financial backdrop, yet still has a chance for bold reforms. The podcast dives into the intricacies of parliamentary politics and Covid governance. Shabana Mahmood's asylum proposals spark debate over the complexities behind media praise. Drawing on international examples, Steve critiques leadership failures during the pandemic and discusses regional political dynamics. Additionally, there's a thoughtful examination of economic messaging, including donut economics, and public perception of Keir Starmer.
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Cost Of Pre-Election Tax Pledges
- Labour boxed itself in by ruling out major tax rises, creating long-term fiscal constraints.
- Steve Richards argues that this decision reduced flexibility and forced reassurance-driven policy choices.
Prioritise Fiscal Credibility
- Focus the budget to reassure Labour MPs and meet fiscal rules to avoid market panic.
- Steve Richards predicts Rachel Reeves will prioritise fiscal credibility over short-term political wins.
Targeted Steps Can Still Be Radical
- The budget contains measures like freezing rail fares and restoring public ownership of trains as modest radical steps.
- Richards sees these as politically useful and potentially growth-enhancing regional investments.
