The Observer columnist Philip Collins argues that the future lies on the “centre ground” which he defines as spanning the Cameron government to Blairite Labour. But at a time when voters are impatient for sweeping change, is that outdated, misleading definition a guide for any party or leader/potential leader? And why does a more precise topical definition matter? Plus your thoughts on Michael Gove and Ed Milliband… and of course Iran.

To join the never ending debate in the RocknRoll Politics podcast email steveric14@icloud.com

Get tickets here for the York Book Festival with Steve Richards and Alan Johnson on Tuesday Mar 26th.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics: The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the departure of Morgan McSweeney, the right in the media and well beyond detect that Ed Miliband has become the unofficial prime minister. 

The Spectator editor Michael Gove has written an article on this theme, and is by no means alone. Apparently some of those making the same point used to work for Keir Starmer. But do Gove’s arguments make much sense? Time again to forensically examine a single article.

Get tickets here for the York Book Festival with Steve Richards and Alan Johnson on Tuesday March 24th.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right wing commentators and newspapers suggest that with the fall of Morgan McSweeney and Keir Starmer fighting for survival, Labour will move to the left. Would that be the disaster they suggest it would be?

Rock & Roll Politics is live on the 11th of May at Kings Place, just days after the May elections. It will be an epic night...Tickets are available here.

Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, plus bonus podcasts and exclusive live events.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Sue Gray has gone and Morgan Mcsweeney is in charge. Where does this leave Keir Starmer and his confused and confusing government? Plus brilliant questions from the Rock n Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices.

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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The Conservatives were slaughtered at the latest election, and yet its leadership candidates are still singing the same old tune. Is the party weaker now than it was in 1997?

Plus brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, and important assembly notices.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place next Monday. Tickets here: 

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-7-oct-in-hall/

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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The first Labour conference after a landslide win should be celebratory, but in Liverpool the mood is uncertain. Can Keir Starmer give his government a clearer sense of purpose?

Rock n Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on October 7th. Tickets here!

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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The Lib Dems won 72 seats at the election. While this is an epic achievement, it will have little influence over a government with a commanding majority. But is there one policy where they could play an historic role?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on October 7th. Tickets here.

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus podcasts and much more.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are refusing to budge over the winter fuel payment saga – and both argue they are willing to be unpopular if the decision is the 'right one'. But is this the smart strategic course? And is unpopularity an inevitable consequence of 'tough' leadership? Plus, answers to brilliant listener questions and some vital assembly notices...

Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 7... a lot going on by then. Tickets here 

Please subscribe to Patreon for ad free podcasts a day early and bonus podcasts every month. Subscribe here

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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Whoever wins the Tory leadership contest will face a titanic task. Are any of the six candidates up to it? And can Labour make the most of the political space while they decide? 

Support Rock & Roll politics on Patreon.

Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Oct 7th after the party conferences. Tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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In Keir Starmer’s first major speech as Prime Minister he argues things will get worse before they will get better… Is this the right message and approach? Why are incoming Labour governments so much more cautious than their Conservative equivalents? 

Rock & Roll Politics is live at King’s Place London on Mon October 7. Tickets here

Support 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

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The macho briefings against Sue Gray have echoes with those against Marcia Williams in the Harold Wilson era, and could have disruptive consequences. Plus latest from the Edinburgh Festival.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival every day until August 24, with a different show every time for the whole festival. Tickets here

Support 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

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With Reform breathing down their necks should the next Tory leader seek to work with Farage or try to destroy him? Either route is fraught with explosive problems…

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Edinburgh Festival every day until August 24, with a different show every time for the whole festival. Tickets here

Support 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

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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

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In the first live show of 2026 we delve deep with the audience in the hall and on the live stream. We go back decades for much needed context and dare to look ahead, and White Van Man Andy makes a guest appearance. 

The next live show at Kings Place is on May 11th, days after the elections, and will be even more epic than this show.  You can get tickets here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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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

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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/RockNRollPolitics

Rock & 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-politics

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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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

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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-politics

Back us on Patreon for bonus podcasts, live events, exclusive merchandise and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here

Written and presented by Steve Richards

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Richards

Back 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

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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 24th

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets here

Back 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the surface frenzy of the Diane Abbott saga are two overlooked questions. Does a leader have a right to have a say who is selected as candidates? What is the role of an MP? The ambition of all candidates is to be an MP, but is there any clear sense of what's expected of an MP? In this case also there are questions about how Keir Starmer and his unelected allies manage or mismanage their party.

• 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 Aug 11th. Tickets here.
• Back 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morgan McSweeney and - we now discover - Peter Mandelson shaped the Starmer leadership in the run up to the election and beyond. Now they are both gone. Inevitably this will lead to change and the first meaningful ‘reset’ in a government of resets. But will it be under Starmer or his successor?

Rock & Roll Politics is live and streaming this Wednesday, February 11th at the main concert hall in Kings Place. There are a few tickets left in the hall or to stream it online, and more to make sense of than ever. Get tickets here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So far the Conservative campaign makes Labour’s in 1983 and Theresa May’s in 2017 seem slick and confident. Why does it seem so indisciplined and ill thought-through? The answer lies in the mind of Rishi Sunak.

Rock & Roll Politics: The Bonus Election Special is live at Kings Place, London on June 24th. Tickets here.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival in a new political landscape from Aug 11th. Tickets here.

Back 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak surprised most of us by calling an election for July 4th. Why has he done it when he's 20 points behind? What will happen in the campaign and how will the parties handle the new levels of intense scrutiny? It’s time for the Rock N Roll Politics co-operative to gather more often than usual to make sense of the suddenly changed political context… The election is only six weeks away!

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th

I'm also live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sun Aug 11th with a new show every day. Get tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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A familiar pattern forms again: scandals, cover up, victims struggling to prove the truth and an inquiry that reveals a dysfunctional state. Where does power lie in the UK? And what happens next?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th

I'm also live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sun Aug 11th with a new show every day. Get tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a silly question. We all know the answer to that one. And yet that was what was asked of Starmer at a point of unusual distinctiveness. He reiterated his unqualified opposition to the Rwanda populism, but did so at that moment of ambiguity. Plus, the defection of Natalie Elphicke: there are many lessons, not least for the media asking the silly question.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here.

I’m live at the Edinburgh Festival with a different show each day. Tickets here.

Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get early, ad-free episodes, live Zooms, merchandise and much more.

Image: Keir Starmer takes a boat trip on the River Tees during a visit to PD Ports on April 18, 2024 in Teesside, England. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

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After the elections, Sunak’s right wing dissenters called off their planned coup even though the results were disastrous for the Tories, while outlining their agenda for the future… which is similar to the one Sunak is pursuing. Do they know what they are doing?

Plus, the dangers of Keir Starmer walking into traps in his attempt to avoid others, and brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics Co-operative. 

Rock & Roll Politics – The Pre-Election Special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here. 

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sat Aug 11th. A different show every day. Tickets here.

Support the podcast on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes, merchandise, special events and more. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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A First Minister and SNP leader falls after a short tenure. Like the Tory party’s problems in Westminster, does the SNP leadership crisis raise thorny questions well beyond the flaws of one leader? And with what implications?

Rock & Roll Politics: The Pre-Election Special is live at Kings Place on July 10th. Tickets here

Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon here to get exclusive live events, bonus podcasts, free entry to Steve’s local elections post-mortem, and much more.

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Nigel Lawson once noted that the party that wins the battle of ideas wins elections. He was right. Ideas matter and yet play little part in the contest between Sunak and Starmer. But the Right remain ideologically confident. Will a Labour government be able to counter the anti-state onslaught that is bound to happen? Plus exciting notices and brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at King’s Place, London, on Wed 10 July for a pre-election special. Get tickets here. 

Back Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get FREE access to Steve’s 2024 Local Elections Post-Mortem live on Zoom, 5pm on Friday 3 May. Analysis, projections and your questions – all free to Patreon people. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards

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In his last term as Prime Minister, Harold Wilson was seen as old, paranoid and ineffective… yet now we discover he was lively enough to be having an affair. This suggests the caricature might be wrong. What if Wilson was livelier politically too? And what if we choose to see other leaders as stereotypes which do not present anything like the full picture? 

Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon for early episodes, exclusive merchandise and more. 

PLUS get free admission to Steve’s Local Elections 2024 Post-Mortem, live on Zoom at 5pm on Friday 3 May.

https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

See Rock & Roll Politics live at King's Place on the 10th of July.

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The journalist and author Will Hutton has written an important new book on the eve of what’s likely to be a Labour government. The title is stark: This Time No Mistakes. But what mistakes were made? What are the lessons of the past? What are his hopes and fears for a Keir Starmer government?

This Time No Mistakes is published on April 11th. Buy it through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Rock & Roll Politics by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon for early episodes, exclusive merchandise and free admission to Steve’s Local Elections 2024 Post-Mortem, live on Zoom at 5pm on Friday 3 May.

https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

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A rare chance to hear a live show… this one recorded in the main concert hall at Kings Place, London. On the agenda: How do the dramas around the current government compare with other ‘fin de siecle’ administrations? How does Keir Starmer compare with Harold Wilson and Tony Blair when they were on the edge of power? Plus unreliable predictions… Question Time… and much more.

Support the podcast Patreon for bonus editions, special merchandise and exclusive live events for subscribers. Our next one will be the day after the May local elections so sign up to find out first. 

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Keir Starmer was not even an MP when Peter Mandelson was part of the New Labour project - a relatively small part. Yet he seems to have had considerable influence over the leadership of Starmer and Morgan McSweeney. Now it is Starmer who is in deep trouble over Mandelson, a figure who was last in government in 2010. How has this happened?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place next Wednesday. There are a few tickets left, and it will be quite a night in light of fast moving events. Tickets here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. 

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Lawson once said a party that wins the battle of ideas wins the election... Rachel Reeves has started to engage in this battle of ideas during her Mais Lecture. Labour are way ahead in the polls, so is this a battle they can win?

Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon for bonus podcasts, special events and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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With polls suggesting a slaughter at the election will Tory MPs seek to replace Sunak … and should they?

Tickets for the next Rock n Roll Politics Live: Kings Place on  26th March 2024 

Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get exclusive benefits including bonus episodes and exclusive merchandise only available to subscribers.

Buy Steve’s book Turning Points: Crisis and Change in Modern Britain, from 1945 to Truss through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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We are obsessed by the character of leaders, even if context, ideas and external circumstances can determine the fate of a government as much as character. Keir Starmer has been unusually hard to pin down, which is why I was keen to speak to Tom Baldwin. Although he has done many interviews to promote his new book on the Labour leader, I sensed there was more to explore – and we do. Plus, reflections on the challenge for Labour after the budget and major assembly notices for the co-operative.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Weds March 13.

Steve is speaking at the York Literature Festival on Sat Mar 16. Tickets £10.

Venue: Memorial Hall, St Peter's School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London on Tue March 26.

Support the podcast on Patreon for bonus podcasts and much more.

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The nightmare in Gaza triggers chaos in the Commons, a victory for George Galloway and apocalyptic warnings from Rishi Sunak… and yet there’s broad agreement in the UK about the need for a ceasefire. Meanwhile on most domestic issues where there should be an intense political battle, there seems to be a passive consensus.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Weds March 13.

Steve is speaking at the York Literature Festival on Sat Mar 16. Tickets £10.

Venue: Memorial Hall, St Peter's School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London on Tue March 26.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Amidst the delusional craziness of Liz Truss’s interventions, she raises one valid question: Does too much power lie in unelected institutions? Since 1979 a huge amount of power has been handed over by elected politicians, and only Truss explores the implications as she sees them. Time for the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative to step in and save an important question from the fleeting Prime Minister.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place London on March 26. Tickets here.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on March 13th. Tickets here.

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In Tom Baldwin's new biography of Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner describes the Labour leader as “the least political person I know in politics”. What does she mean? Is she right about Starmer? And what are the implications?

Rock & Roll Politics is live in March:

The Ropetackle, Shoreham, Wed Mar 13th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2/

Kings Place, London, March 26th: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-march-2024/ 

Support the podcast on Patreon for bonus editions, live events and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

Buy Keir Starmer: The Biography by Tom Baldwin through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Rock & Roll Politics by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Labour is way ahead in the polls and has dropped its most radical policy, the £28 billion green recovery plan. But in opposition, in the build up to the 1979 and 2010 elections, the Conservatives put forward radical right wing programmes – and won from opposition. They did not retreat. Why is Labour more cautious and less confident?

Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on March 26th with a brand new show. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-march-2024/ 

Support the show on Patreon for bonus podcasts, live events and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

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Starmer and Reeves have got in a mess over their pledge to borrow £28 billion for a green recovery programme. The proposal has been marked by defensive ‘retreats’ when it would enable UK to compete with the US and EU and bring good news to every voter. Why has this happened, and what can be done about it?

Plus, points from the Rock N Roll Co-operative on the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord Frosty Frost and more

Back the podcast on Patreon for bonus editions and much more too.

Rock N Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on March 26th with a brand new show. Get your tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-march-2024/

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Attempted coups against PMs and leaders are becoming increasingly familiar. Will the current plot against Sunak succeed? 

Support Rock N Roll Politics on Patreon to get bonus editions, merchandise and more.  

Rock N Roll Politics is live with a brand new show at Kings Place on March 26th. Get in-person or streaming tickets here

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It’s become a cliché that Keir Starmer's pitch lacks the clarity and sense of purpose that marked New Labour's victory in 1997. But Blair’s over-mythologised win was a lot lighter on specifics than we tend to remember, says Steve Richards.

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Buy Steve’s book Turning Points: Crisis and Change in Modern Britain, from 1945 to Truss through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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In the Gorton and Denton by-election Reform dares to hope it will win. Which party should opponents of Reform back to prevent such an outcome, and what are the wider lessons of the dilemmas for tactical voters?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday February 11th. It’s the first show of 2026, and a lot has happened since the last one. Tickets here.

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Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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Last week Steve Richards asked what the deeper lessons were from the Post Office scandal. The responses from the Rock N Roll Politics Co-operative suggests it merely reflects a much wider problem. How do we even begin to fix Britain? Or to be more precise; how does a future Labour government fix it? 

Plus important notices on exclusive new content for Patreons, live events and brilliant questions.

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https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

Buy Steve’s book Turning Points: Crisis and Change in Modern Britain, from 1945 to Truss through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Tickets for live event including a Q+A to celebrate 'Turning Points': Hornsey Library on January 28th

Tickets for the next Rock n Roll Politics Live: Kings Place on  26th March 2024 

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The indifference of ministers in the coalition government to the Post Office scandal is becoming a big story. But the indifference was not accidental, it was a deliberate act and part of a wider culture that is still pervasive: The state should step back and give 'operational independence' to non-elected figures. Steve Richards assesses how when things go wrong, as they often do in this culture, ministers become responsible, and whether these vague lines of accountability are part of the reason why nothing works in the UK.

Plus we hear brilliant questions on Labour's election slogan and much more.

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Buy Steve’s book Turning Points: Crisis and Change in Modern Britain, from 1945 to Truss through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Tickets for the next Rock n Roll Politics Live: Kings Place on  26th March 2024

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A bonus New Year episode for all in the Rock N Roll Politics Co-operative: With Keir Starmer following a Blairite pre-election strategy, Steve Richards thinks Rishi Sunak has only one route to reduce Labour's lead. But will he fail to take it? 

Support Rock & Roll Politics on Patreon and get exclusive benefits including bonus episodes and exclusive merchandise only available to subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics

Buy Steve’s book Turning Points: Crisis and Change in Modern Britain, from 1945 to Truss through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Tickets for the next Rock n Roll Politics Live: Kings Place on  26th March 2024

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