

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
Steve Richards
Based on his live one-man show Rock & Roll Politics, the broadcaster and author Steve Richards takes a weekly behind-the-scenes tour of UK politics and the media that shapes the way we view the epic political dramas. The future is ridiculously unpredictable and the past is so easy to misread. Subscribe to your weekly guide through seismic times.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 6, 2024 • 45min
Are the riots more than a law and order issue?
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 for live events, bonus podcasts, the main podcast ad-free and a day early, and more…Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 2024 • 53min
Has Rachel Reeves won the case for tax rises?
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 show every time. Tickets here Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 23, 2024 • 47min
Why do doomed leaders struggle to quit?
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/join-steve-for-108244685 – plus you get bonus podcasts, live events, exclusive merchandise and much more. https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPoliticsRock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival from Aug 11th and then every day, with a different show every time. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politicsWritten and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2024 • 48min
Where next for the ‘Special Relationship’ amid US turmoil?
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 questions… and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival from Aug 11th and then every day… with a LOT to make sense of. Tickets here Back us on Patreon for bonus podcasts, live events, exclusive merchandise and much more. Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2024 • 55min
Has Keir Starmer won the political space to be daring?
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 11th. Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politicsBack us on Patreon for bonus podcasts, live events, exclusive merchandise and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPoliticsWritten and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2024 • 51min
What have we learnt from this strange election?
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 it will be the first live show at Kings Place under a Labour government:. Tickets here.Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 27, 2024 • 1h 34min
Rock & Roll Politics Live – The election bonus
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 Kings Place on July 10th. If the polls are right it will be the first live show at Kings Place under a Labour government. Tickets hereRock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets hereWritten and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2024 • 52min
Will Labour get the economic growth they need?
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. Tickets here.Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets hereWritten and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2024 • 54min
How will the Tory media deal with a Labour landslide?
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 big majority for Labour and much more.Rock & Roll Politics: The Bonus Election Special is live at Kings Place on June 24th - Tickets here.Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug11th. Tickets here.Written and presented by Steve RichardsBack us on Patreon for bonus podcasts on all the recent strange election campaigns and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2024 • 46min
Why is the election 'tax and spend' debate dangerous and bonkers?
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 Bonus is live at Kings Place on June 24th and there are only a few tickets left!Rock & Roll Politics: The Bonus Election Special is live at Kings Place on June 24thRock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets hereBack us on Patreon for bonus podcasts on all the recent strange election campaigns and much more.Written and presented by Steve Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


