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PODCAST

Rock & Roll Politics with 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.

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All Episodes

40:34

How will the government change in the post-McSweeney...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/02/09

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

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39:33

Why did Mandelson wield so much influence over...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/02/06

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

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45:43

Will tactical voting block Reform?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/02/03

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

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40:55

Has Kemi Badenoch taken a fatal wrong turn?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/30

A new group has been launched within the Conservative Party aimed at reviving the much diminished ‘One Nation’ wing. Kemi Badenoch has been dismissive. Has she made a fatal strategic miscalculation?The first Rock & Roll Politics live show of the year is on February 11th at Kings Place…. there’s a lot to make sense of that night. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-8/ Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about

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42:13

Burnham is blocked - What are the consequences?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/27

Predictably Keir Starmer has blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the forthcoming by-election. Has Labour had enough of this unique style of party management where those seen as to the left of Starmer and Morgan McSweeney, or a leadership ’threat’, are crushed, briefed against, expelled, suspended or blocked? Or was this Starmer’s only available route? Rock & Roll Politics is live at the main hall in Kings Place on February 11th, where we will have the chance to delve even deeper - and have

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36:38

Where does the never-ending Trump show leave Britain...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/23

Trump has pulled back from the brink, but not before he publicly attacked European leaders, including Keir Starmer. The British prime minister also expressed publicly his opposition to Trump’s plans to ‘control’ Greenland and threaten tariffs. Outside the EU and with a US President launching threats and public onslaughts, where is Britain’s place in the world? Plus, brilliant questions on the split between Reform and the Conservatives. Rock & Roll Politics is live on February 11th with a brand

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46:33

What are the differences between Reform and the Tories?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/20

Robert Jenrick’s defection highlighted the schism on the right, two parties battling it out as Labour and the SDP did in the 1980s. But there are significant contrasts between the schism on the left then and the divide on the right now. One of them is surreal - both Reform and the Tories are parties of the populist radical right, so what are they fighting over? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on February 11th. Tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to

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46:31

How big is the schism on the right?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/16

I was not planning another podcast on the theme of U-turn, not least when the schism on the right has been highlighted by the sacking of Robert Jenrick. But I sense there are huge lessons from the sequence that led to the U-turn, and they must be learnt urgently.Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on February 11th. 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

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35:57

What do U-turns tell us about a government?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/13

Since our last podcast on the risks of an unsubtle focus on the cost of living, the Government has carried out another U-turn to protect pubs from increases in business rates. Number 10 says this is a sign of an increasingly nimble government responding quickly to potential problems – but why do the problems arise in the first place? And will there be more U-turns now that Keir Starmer has pledged to put more money in people’s pockets?• It’s time for the first live show of 2026 at Kings Place, and

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35:53

Is Starmer’s focus on the cost of living more risky...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/09

Keir Starmer has proclaimed the government’s entire focus is on the cost of living. But to what degree can he control price rises, and will voters feel better off in the coming months? Should governments intervene to control prices? Plus, brilliant questions on leadership, Britain and the EU and much more.Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on February 11th. Tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad

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49:27

How long can Starmer claim he has no view on Trump...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/06

Trump has carried out a coup in Venezuela - how long will he seek to rule over it, and then what? He is not the first US President who has acted unilaterally without telling the UK, and he is not the first who has removed a leader without a follow up plan. And why did Starmer’s long BBC 1 interview work for him, the interviewer and the viewers? 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

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40:19

The Defectors Part 3: A Festive Series - Carswell and...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2026/01/01

David Cameron had promised a Brexit referendum, and to renegotiate Britain’s EU membership. In a sign of what was to follow, it was not enough for two Tory MPs…• The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, available here. https://amzn.eu/d/4sJJpah Written and

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32:07

The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/29

Shaun Woodward was one of the masterminds behind the Conservatives 1992 election victory and subsequently he became a Tory MP. Soon after Labour’s 1997 landslide he changed sides, and ultimately became a Labour cabinet minister.• The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. • My biography of Tony Blair is

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36:57

The Defectors Part 1: A Festive Series - Reg Prentice...

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/24

Reg Prentice was a Labour cabinet minister after the 1974 elections, but was threatened with deselection by his local Labour party for being on the right. There were rowdy meetings as Prentice’s cabinet allies spoke in his defence and by the time of the 1979 election Prentice had defected to Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative party.• The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main

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51:03

What have we learnt at the end of 2025?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/23

We know more than we think we know … Sometimes what is in front of our eyes is more interesting than speculating about a hazy future. Here is what we know now about Keir Starmer’s fragility and the even more precarious international crisis. • Tickets for my next live show on the 11th of February are available now! Get them here. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, get it here. • A subscription to Patreon for the main podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live

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55:37

Why does a 'narrative' matter so much?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/19

Keir Starmer has endured a rough opening 18 months, but so did Tony Blair in quite similar ways. So why was Blair miles ahead in the polls in his early phase in power? And why is Starmer breaking all records for low ratings?The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are the perfect Christmas present! Get them here. Subscribe to Patreon here. The next series of bonus podcasts will be: When prime ministers fall. My biography of Tony Blair is

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93:41

Rock & Roll Politics Live - How fragile is Keir Starmer?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/16

Here’s the last live show of the year, recorded in the main concert hall at Kings Place. There’s a dramatic answer to the question, will Keir Starmer be prime minister this time next year? Plus, making sense of Nigel Farage, Zack Polanski, Jeremy Corbyn and much more…Dream Christmas presents... • Tickets for my next live show on the 11th of February are available now. Get them here. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, available here. • A subscription to Patreon for the main podcast a

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40:01

What next as Trump turns away from Europe?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/12

Trump’s National Security Strategy is scathing about Europe, and in interviews he intensified his attack on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Where does this leave Britain’s place in the world? Out of the EU and no longer able to claim there’s a reliable ally in the White House, even if that claim was always partly delusional...Plus, what chance of a Labour/Lib Dem government after the next general election? Subscribe to Patreon for bonus podcasts, exclusive live events and the main podcasts ad

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44:43

Brexit- is this the beginning of the end?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/09

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have started to become more critical of the ‘Brexit Deal’. David Lammy highlights the benefits of a customs union. The Brexit minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, is promoted. But does this mean a cautious government is moving towards the customs union, and when would it make such a move?Looking for the ideal Christmas present? My new biography of Tony Blair can be read over a few festive drinks, and you can buy it here. Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus

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44:07

Why are newspapers still powerful?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards ·

2025/12/05

Few buy newspapers and not many read them. So why do they shape the political agenda, not least in determining how the current government is perceived?Rock & Roll Politics -The Xmas Special is live at Kings Place on Dec 8th.. Get your tickets for Kings Place or the live-stream of the event 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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389 results

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