Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

After a short summer break we all need to get together to prepare for an epic autumn...I reflect on Afghanistan and reveal some of the figures included in 'The Prime Ministers We Never Had'..in bookshops from this Thursday..plus brilliant questions. And Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Mon Sept 13...and there's also a live stream..the start of a dramatic new political year- https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-live-in-hall-one-13-sep/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who qualifies for the dubious honour of being a Prime Minister We Never Had? In my new book I argue that there are two qualifications. They must have been seen as a possible PM AND had a feasible chance of seizing the crown. I discuss some of those that are often cited as 'PMs We Never Had' but who do not qualify. Plus your brilliant questions..and you can pre order a signed copy of the book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-prime-ministers-we-never-had/steve-richards/9781838955946 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rishi Sunak is spoken of as Boris Johnson's likely successor...Chancellors are often seen as the next Prime Minister..and yet quite a few of them fail to seize the crown and become instead Prime Ministers We Never Had. Is Sunak the next Prime Minister or one of those who won't get to the very top? My latest book 'The Prime Ministers We Never Had' can be pre-orderered here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-prime-ministers-we-never-had/steve-richards/9781838955946 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time since 1979 some Conservatives, including Boris Johnson, seem to be looking towards a more active state...while others, including Rishi Sunak, continue to put the case for 'fiscal conservatism'. How significant is this divide in the modern Conservative party and where does it leave Labour? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boris Johnson's 'Freedom Day' has become a dangerous farce, with Johnson, Sunak and Javid self isolating..raising big questions about what the complex term 'freedom' means...plus brilliant question on politics and sport, Jeremy Corbyn, what happens to those that defect to other parties... and much more. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Greenwich Theatre on Sunday evening, July 18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

B Johnson 'advises' mask wearing should continue in crowded indoor spaces...so the freedom not to do so is granted to the irresponsible who will ignore the advice...limiting the freedom of others..plus brilliant questions on MPs in the wrong parties to England's defeat against Italy. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Greenwich Theatre next Sunday..a few tickets left for sale: https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/rock-n-roll-politics-with-steve-richards/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Labour won the Batley and Spen by-election against expectations..immediately K Starmer was urged to use his new space to 'take on his party'. But what does that mean? And what evidence is there that an opposition leader that triggers a 'row' goes on to win an election? Plus brilliant questions... Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Greenwich Theatre on Sun July 18-https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/rock-n-roll-politics-with-steve-richards/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kings Place show on Monday-live in the hall and streamed-will focus on the Hancock saga, delving deep into the many themes, and move on to Cummings and segue into Lord Frosty...We'll reflect on the by-election in Batley and Spen and what it tells us, the Blue Wall, plus live questions and unreliable predictions...Tickets here for the streamed and live event. https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/rock-n-roll-politics-28-jun/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What will be the consequences of the Conservatives' surprise loss of a by-election? Perhaps there will be none...but I argue that the Lib Dems' victory challenges Boris Johnson's main source of political strength-the perception that he's a winner....plus brilliant questions and bread recipes.  Rock N Roll Politics is live in the main hall of Kings Place on Monday June 28th...and streamed live. Tkts here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/?kw=2021-06-28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With breathtaking but unsurprising chutzpah B Johnson and Lord 'Frosty' blame the EU for their own chosen Brexit route. The EU had agreed to T May's Brexit that avoided a border between GB and N.Ireland. Johnson proposed the border to get a deal that was different to May's...hoping to escape later from the consequences, or not realising what they were. Rock N Roll Politics is live in the main hall at Kings Place on June 28. Tkts: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/?kw=2021-06-28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices