Explore every episode of the podcast Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration – Can Britain ever have a reasoned debate? | 06 Nov 2026 | 00:37:36 | |
Shock! Horror! Shabana Mahmood announces a “U-turn” on her immigration plans. What did anyone expect after the original proposals were announced within weeks of her becoming Home Secretary without much thought given to strategic and political implications? But Mahmood is by no means alone in not daring to reflect too deeply. British governments take a chaotic approach to immigration compared to some other countries that have established an ordered approach. And what about the mid terms…? • Join our never ending debate by emailing steveric14@icloud.com • The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th at London’s Kings Place – tickets available from the King’s Place box office • Support the pod on Patreon to get exclusive video of our latest Livestream plus regular extra content and bonus episodes, AND the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What are the obstacles to an early election? | 03 Nov 2026 | 00:44:54 | |
There is (and will continue to be) speculation about a General Election next spring, freeing Andy Burnham from the constraints of Labour’s 2024 manifesto and while he’s still on something of a honeymoon. But is he in any position to contemplate such a campaign before the plans for his big changes are clearer? • The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th at London’s Kings Place – tickets available from the King’s Place box office • Support the pod on Patreon to get exclusive video of our latest Livestream plus regular extra content and bonus episodes, AND the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is the cautious budget a prelude to radical change? | 29 Oct 2026 | 00:18:03 | |
The Budget developed one theme of the Burnham Era: small changes and breathing space. But how dow this fit in with Burnham’s pledge to implement the biggest change in forty years? • The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th at London’s Kings Place– tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Support the pod on Patreon for tonight’s exclusive live event (Thursday 29/10) and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will John Healey rise to the titanic Budget challenges? | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:40:09 | |
John Healey presents his first Budget – constrained by a fragile economy, international turmoil, the red lines of Labour’s timid 2024 election manifesto and his own inexperience as an economic policy-maker. Can he rise to the occasion? • Support the podcast on Patreon for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. • Roll up for Rock & Roll Politics live - The Christmas Special on the 7th of December. Tickets are available from the King’s Place box office. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How Wars End – Part Two | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:44:33 | |
I knew my reflections on the Russia-Ukraine War and wider global tensions would trigger a brilliant reaction from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative…and it has done. There are now several never-ending debates taking place here: how do wars end? Should we rejoin the EU? Should the triple lock be scrapped? How to change the voting system? And much more. • Steve’s latest video livestream is on Thur 29 Oct and it’s FREE and exclusive to Patreon backers. Sign up as a backer to watch on the Patreon page. • The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th at London’s Kings Place– tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Support the pod on Patreon for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How do wars end? | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:46:12 | |
With the war in Ukraine continuing into another dark winter, how can it end? And - a different question - how should it end? The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th - tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Did Liz Truss have a point? | 16 Oct 2026 | 00:33:32 | |
The Office for Budget Responsibility continues to play a big part in pre-budget calculations - but should it? Nobody elected the OBR, as Liz Truss pointed out when she sought to bypass it… The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th - tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why is it time to talk about Brexit again? | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:43:57 | |
The consequences of Brexit have been rarely explored since Lord Frosty Frost negotiated a trade deal that was agreed chaotically on Christmas Eve 2020. Now Andy Burnham declares Brexit has caused more harm than good, and most voters agree. What will happen next? The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday Dec 7th - tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Subscribe to Patreon here to join the next exclusive live event on October 29th, the day after the Budget. Plus, exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What next for Zack Polanski? | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:22:43 | |
Labour has won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election… but what are the implications for the Greens? And was “Kemi”’s speech to the Conservative Conference really the centrist triumph that the media reported? The next Rock & Roll Politics live show takes place on Monday Dec 7th at Kings Place, London. Get your tickets from the King’s Place box office. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is Kemi Badenoch the leader returning to the past? | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:39:44 | |
The Tories and the media accuse Andy Burnham of taking Britain back to the 1970s. But is Kemi Badenoch the leader who is returning again - like all Tory leaders - to Thatcherism, at a time when voters are turning against the consequences of the 1980s? The next live Rock & Roll Politics show is on Monday December 7th - tickets available from the King’s Place box office. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Rock & Roll Politics Live: What has Andy Burnham unleashed? | 02 Oct 2026 | 01:23:42 | |
An epic Rock & Roll Politics Live at Kings Place, the night after Burnham’s speech. Listen now to the recording of a show. The next is live on December 7th, stay tuned for more details to follow. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will the media allow Andy Burnham to generate hope? | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:44:09 | |
Burnham is a natural, confident communicator - and he has promised change. including a National Care Service. But the media noise is about the need to be ‘realistic’, which usually means right wing. The noise is loud and will be difficult to overcome. Can he? The Rock & Roll Politics co-operative will be making sense of Burnham’s key speech to the Labour conference and much more - this coming Wednesday evening, September 30th, in the main concert hall at Kings Place. It’s also streaming live. A few tickets are left in the hall, you can get them here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How Can Burnham Deliver the Biggest Change in 40 Years? | 25 Sep 2026 | 01:01:42 | |
On the eve of the Labour conference I speak to the brilliant Michael Jacobs - former adviser to Gordon Brown, founder of Compass and supporter of Mainstream, an important platform for Andy Burnham as he moved towards Number 10. Michael has published an inspiring paper with more than sixty policy proposals that he argues are feasible, and that would deliver the radical change that Burnham claims to seek. Plus another lively episode of our never ending debate, and much more. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - making sense of Burnham and wider landscape the day after his big speech to the Labour Conference. Get your tickets here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What’s the most effective slogan in modern politics? | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:47:23 | |
The Rock & Roll Politics co-operative continues our never-ending debate on the economy, defence and the Israeli government as I hail the most effective slogan in British politics for decades. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The UK economic crisis - Does anyone know what they’re talking about? | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:53:09 | |
The Greek chorus of experts condemn "another tax and spend socialist government”. What does that mean? They also call for "welfare reform" to produce instant big cuts. How? The lack of clarity fuels the hysteria about an economic crisis. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Should Reform be allowed to spend the crypto-billionaires’ money? | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:44:46 | |
Reform have received donations from crypto billionaires that amount to more than all the cash spent by the parties at the last election. Will it make a difference to the next election? Will it undermine Reform’s claim to lead ‘the people’s army’? Above all should the government stop it, even retrospectively? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is Ed Miliband a rare example of a foreign secretary changing foreign policy? | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:35:29 | |
A cathartic moment: the British government announces sanctions against Nethanyahu’s government in Israel. Ed Miliband prepared the ground assiduously and acted. While most foreign secretaries are not significant change makers, Miliband can claim to be one already. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How bold will John Healey be? | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:46:20 | |
John Healey has made his first speech as chancellor, and therefore the biggest of his long career. Will he be part of the promised biggest change in forty years, or be closer to an echo of Rachel Reeves? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will the media ever allow an honest ‘tax and spend’ debate? | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:22:21 | |
Westminster is staging another hysterical debate about tax and spend in which there is no coherence or honesty. They are all trying to woo the voters but it is the voters who lose out. RocknRoll Politics is live at Kings Place on September 30th. It's the first London show of the Burnham era and the end of Labour conference: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/book-tickets/53601/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Are there worrying signs in Burnham’s honeymoon? | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:38:05 | |
Andy Burnham has generated a sense of energy and purpose during the summer break - but is he in some key areas sowing the seeds of future trouble? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday September 30th - at the end of Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference as Prime Minister. Get your tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can Burnham revive Labour in Scotland and Wales? | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:31:52 | |
The May elections triggered the ultimate drama – a change of prime minister. This meant reflections on the actual results were limited yet in Scotland and Wales they were of historic significance. The SNP rules again and now Plaid Cymru is in charge too. What does that mean for the Burnham ‘bounce’ and the impact of devolution on Labour? • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve • RocknRoll Politics is live every day at the Edinburgh Festival until Saturday. Tickets here: https://www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2026/steve-richards-presents-rock-and-roll-politics • To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will Andy Burnham call an early election? | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:32:22 | |
It’s the question asked of all incoming mid term prime ministers - should they get their own mandate? Should they call an election during their early honeymoon? But the risks- always - are huge. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Fringe right now - every day, including weekends - with a different show every day. Get your tickets here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What to read on our summer holidays? | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:35:02 | |
At the height of summer here are some political book recommendations from the distant past. Plus: how to hold local councils and mayors to account, and can the co-operative sort out FIFA? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Fringe from this Sunday August 16th, with 14 shows, and a different show every day. Get your tickets here.
Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The right is split three ways. What are the consequences? | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:39:10 | |
In the recent Greater Manchester mayoral contest the Conservatives finished behind Reform UK and Restore Britain. The right are split three ways for the first time in British political history, where usually the left vote fractures fatally. What are the implications as Andy Burnham makes his early moves? Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service? | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:40:31 | |
A whole series of prime ministers have promised a National Care service, but none have delivered. Can Andy Burnham? Plus brilliant questions in our never-ending debate on the opening of the Burnham era and the political drama in France. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Are we going back to the 1970s? | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:33:12 | |
Less than a week since Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, the Greek chorus of commentators have warned that Britain is ‘going back to the 1970s’. But what do they mean, and does it make any sense? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Fringe from Sunday August 16th, with a different show every day. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will Andy Burnham’s new cabinet deliver the biggest change in 40 years? | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:23:35 | |
Andy Burnham has promised the biggest change in 40 years. Is his new cabinet ready to deliver - and does he know how to bring about the change he seeks? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday August 16th. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Was Keir Starmer more of a change-maker than he seemed? | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:34:18 | |
Keir Starmer takes a bow amidst much talk that he lacked a mission and sense of governing purpose… but what happens if we follow the policy trail rather than all the noise around his leadership? In some respects he was more boldly radical than Tony Blair in his first two years as prime minister. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What are the lessons in the fall and rise of Louise Haigh? | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:32:09 | |
Louise Haigh is a key figure in Andy Burnham’s team and will be back in the cabinet next week when Burnham becomes Prime Minister - a remarkable comeback given she was sacked as Transport Secretary only months after taking up the post. Haigh was widely admired during her brief period in the job but was targeted by Number 10. Now those who targeted her are gone, and she is at the centre of the new regime. There are big lessons about leadership and conviction in her oscillating career. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial? | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:33:02 | |
Farage faces Count Binface in his latest campaign. As a potential prime minister, isn’t there a better use of his time? Plus, Bridget Phillipson on how education can be an instrument of freedom, and the challenges of devolution. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How much trouble is Nigel Farage in? | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:35:38 | |
The Reform leader is facing more allegations about donations made before he was an MP. Can he lead a ‘people’s revolt’ when stories erupt around him that suggest he is far removed from ‘the people’? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie? | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:32:24 | |
There’s a strong focus on Andy Burnham’s plans for devolution but he has identified a bigger challenge in what he has called ‘the outsourced state’, where unelected agencies and companies run much of Britain. Plus, was Burnham right not to take questions from political editors at the end of his speech earlier this week? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will Andy Burnham’s big idea work? | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:33:32 | |
Andy Burnham has promised an historic transfer of power from the centre. Unlike some leaders who have made similar pledges he means it. But how will it work? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham this Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Who should be Andy Burnham’s Chancellor? | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:39:58 | |
The answer to this question is hugely significant. Look back and mid-term Prime Ministers fall out badly with their chosen Chancellor - too often Labour Prime Ministers seek to reassure the media and the markets with their choice, only for both to turn on the Chancellor that is supposed to bring ‘stability’. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What does Andy Burnham really think? | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:42:59 | |
I revisit an interview I did with Andy Burnham before the general election, when there was no leadership speculation as Keir Starmer was so obviously heading for victory. We explore where power lies, where power should lie, where he feels he has always stood on the political spectrum, why this is a different landscape to 1997 and much more. It gives a sense of what his priorities are likely to be as he heads towards Number 10. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Andy Burnham wins - what follows? | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:21:00 | |
Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a triumphant margin. What does that mean for the government, and for Reform? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20 Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What if Keir Starmer is right on defence? | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:43:55 | |
Keir Starmer navigated around a reluctant Treasury and dissenting minsters to find a further significant increase in defence spending. It was not enough for John Healey and the mighty defence establishment, but where precisely would they find even more money? And would it be spent well? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to make sense of the fallout arising from this week’s historic by-election. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on the 1st of July. Tickets are available here. Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What is the significance of John Healey’s resignation? | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:48:27 | |
The instinctively loyal John Healey has resigned over the level of defence spending about to be announced - what will be the impact on Keir Starmer’s fragile leadership? And how will resources be found to pay for defence and other creaking public services? Plus, we are in an era of multi-party politics, and the new battles between parties are already having a big impact on elections and by-elections. But how big are the differences between the parties on the right,and indeed those on the left? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. And an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Does it matter any more if a by-election candidate is out of their depth? | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:37:07 | |
The Reform candidate in the historic Makerfield by- election has struggled to answer obvious questions about policy and his own social media comments. In today’s dangerous anti-politics mood could this be an advantage for him? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website. An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is Farage as formidable as he appears to be? | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:42:31 | |
This week Nigel Farage has chosen to fuel ‘hatred’ in relation to a horrific murder, seeking to politicise crudely and obviously. Has he been too crude and obvious? Is the fracturing on the right an opportunity for the government, or is it triggering a dangerous debate framed by the far right? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Labour’s battle of ideas - much needed or dangerous? | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:36:46 | |
Tony Blair’s essay has triggered detailed responses from Keir Starmer, potential successors and others within the government. Is this a healthy development for a party that seemed fearful of internal debate. or the start of a fatal divide? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What does Tony Blair mean by the ‘radical centre’? | 29 May 2026 | 00:46:23 | |
In Tony Blair’s latest long essay he claims to be on the ‘radical centre’. In which case, why are his largely vague arguments welcomed most by those on the right? His elegant writing and capacity to frame big arguments convey a sense of clarity. Time to delve deep to see if he’s as clear as he appears to be. • Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to explore the seismic consequences of the Makerfield by-election, and what could happen next. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here. • Patreon subscribers can sign up for an exclusive live event on Monday 8th of June. • Subscribe to Patreon here to get the main podcast a day early and ad free, plus bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Do the fashionable assumptions about Andy Burnham make sense? | 26 May 2026 | 00:38:44 | |
Leaders and potential leaders are often far more interesting than the stereotypes reported by political journalists. Is this the case with Andy Burnham? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here. You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary: an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is this the strangest leadership crisis in modern times? | 22 May 2026 | 00:30:04 | |
Keir Starmer continues as Prime Minister. Andy Burnham fights a by-election as a potential future Prime Minister. Is Burnham a by- election candidate and leadership candidate simultaneously? Or can he pull off being the by- election candidate first, before the scrutiny of a leadership challenge? Meanwhile Wes Streeting refers to a leadership contest - even though he is not yet a candidate. Time to delve deep… To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why is the phrase ‘Brexit Wars’ dangerous for Britain? | 19 May 2026 | 00:29:43 | |
Wes Streeting says he wants Britain to rejoin the EU at some point. Andy Burnham has noted often that Brexit has been a calamitous seismic shock, and the cabinet and most voters agree. Yet this is a return to the ‘Brexit Wars’ - and not only because of the Makerfield by-election. Can there ever be a grown up debate on Brexit? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can Andy Burnham win the by-election? | 15 May 2026 | 00:40:37 | |
After a week of high political drama, some raging questions are answered. Starmer wants to stay, Streeting has resigned, and Burnham has a route to the Commons. But now another question arises - can he win? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Who can lead the ‘people’s revolt’? | 11 May 2026 | 00:19:36 | |
All leaders and potential leaders agree the urgent need to move on from what Keir Starmer calls vaguely ‘the status quo’. Nigel Farage claims to lead ‘the people’s revolt’ against the status quo. But why should he have the monopoly in leading the people when he was a key figure in creating the current ‘status quo’? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Election Special - Who can meet the voters’ hunger for ‘change’? | 08 May 2026 | 00:23:13 | |
Labour is slaughtered in spite of promising ‘change’ in a country desperate to move on from the failures of the past. But does Starmer - or potential successors - know what they mean by change? And does Farage? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com You can get the last few remaining tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London - this coming 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How will Reform and the Greens respond to electoral success? | 05 May 2026 | 00:45:00 | |
Reform and the Greens are expected to make stunning gains in this week's elections. But will either party be ready to develop coherent and credible policies - in line with their very different values - by the time of the general election? It is the phase in the electoral cycle that is the toughest challenge of the lot. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com You can get the last few remaining tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special next week at Kings Place in London 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can or should a King change Trump’s view of ’the special relationship'? | 01 May 2026 | 00:43:39 | |
King Charles delivered a perfectly pitched speech in Congress, with many barely coded messages. But will Trump, charmed by royalty, change his attitude to the elected government in the UK or to those in the rest of Europe? Plus Morgan McSweeney, Peter Mandelson, and the build up to the 2024 election. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com You can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here. And hurry, there are just a few left. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||