Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

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: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.patreon.com/posts/64700914 Send your questions to Steve at steveric14@icloud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Politics on Patreon for bonus podcasts, exclusive Rock’n’Roll Politics mugs and much more:https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/RockNRollPoliticsSend your questions to Steve at steveric14@icloud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, March 17th, and streaming live: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-17-mar/ Join Rock N Roll Politics the Patreon version here for lots of bonuses: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Don’t forget to add your personal RSS for the podcast to your favourite app so you can listen wherever you are… Email: steveric14@icloud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 soon.  Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Thursday March 17th, and streaming live: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-17-mar/Get Rock'n'Roll Politics early when you back the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics  Jonathan Powell’s books include: Great Hatred, Little Room: Making Peace in Northern Ireland Don’t forget to add your personal RSS for the podcast to your favourite app so you can listen wherever you are… Email: steveric14@icloud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Politics by backing us on Patreon here. You’ll get extra podcasts, mugs, free tickets and even (for top tier backers) a live show in your own home…Rock’n’Roll Politics is live at Kings Place, London on Monday March 17th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-17-mar/Email: steveric14@icloud.comhttps://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-mon-21-febSupport Rock’n’Roll Politics on Patreon here to help us keep growing and also get bonus podcasts, mugs, complimentary live tickets and much more.Email: steveric14@icloud.comhttps://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 grow by supporting us on Patreon, the crowdfunding platform. You’ll get bonus podcasts, mugs, free tickets for live shows and much more. https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPoliticsRock’n’Roll Politics is live at Kings Place, London on Monday Feb 21st at 7pm..a brand new show and streaming live too. Tickets here : https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-mon-21-feb/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 can now support the podcast on Patreon with options that include special bonus podcasts – the first series is on epic General Elections – plus Rock’n’Roll Politics mugs, free tickets and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Rock’n’Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Mon Feb 21 and streaming live too: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-mon-21-feb/Audio production by Alex Rees for Podmasters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices