Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

As the virus wreaks havoc again, why some MPs call for the army to intervene ...and why there'll be significant consequences as some Tory newspapers give B Johnson a hard time (though nowhere near as hard as they would have done to a Labour PM)...Plus your brilliant questions.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The government's 'oven ready' deal that would 'get Brexit done' is now being violated...by the government...and your brilliant questions on Boris Johnson, Brexit, Keir Starmer and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Number 10 that presided chaotically over Covid and its consequences does not go for introspective humility...Instead of learning lessons from its failures it moves on with naive self-confidence and counterproductive machismo as it threatens to renege on its own 'oven ready' Brexit deal....plus some of your brilliant questions answered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boris Johnson is struggling. Does he realise yet that he is not equipped to meet the epic demands of leadership? Writing the paperback version of 'The Prime Ministers- Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to Johnson' I am struck by how miserable Prime Ministers are a lot of the time. They get to the top, feel euphoric...and then all hell breaks loose. Also given the performance of the government....should Labour be doing even better in the polls? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have the last twelve months been the most historic since the end of World War Two? Covid, Brexit, a big Tory election win....that takes a lot of beating..there's been the Suez Crisis, Sterling Crises, Three Day Weeks, Winter of Discontent, Iraq, Financial Crash...and what about the epic dramas of the early 1980s? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In UK politics B Johnson can escape scrutiny more easily than D Trump, Johnson's model of leadership in some respects. Johnson does not like being challenged and in one huge policy area he is getting his way. The UK economy faces another big hit because of the Johnson/Cummings approach to talks with the EU, but few are questioning what they are doing and what the likely consequences will be. On this Johnson has no need to fear scrutiny...and that is very dangerous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rishi Sunak walks on water but he does so by putting the case for borrowing and spending. How should Labour respond? There are big risks and opportunities for Starmer and his new team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Dominic Cummings the most powerful  Number 10 special adviser of modern times? I reflect on the relationship between PMs and their favourite special advisers. From Harold Wilson and Marcia Williams to Johnson and Cummings...the most illuminating relationships in politics.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I reflect on the chasm between B Johnson's bold objectives and his capacity to deliver..plus Dominic Cummings, the shallow revolutionary with angry, contradictory plans...and K Starmer's sacking of RLB and the complex implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode I reflect on the contradictory leaks coming from Number 10, the Treasury and the wider government..and reveal the outcome of my exclusive poll on the fate of Boris Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices