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.
251
Flying the Flag
The greater the doubt about the UK's place in the world the more it seeks to fly the flag....since the Suez Crisis the UK's sense of itself has been a contradictory mix of jingoism and extreme insecurity.....It's more straightforward for...
44 min
252
A Quick Reminder
Rock n Roll Politics is streaming live tonight at 7pm...My themes: Covid, Voters and The State; Rishi Sunak-Who is He?; Met Police-Who's in Charge? Plus Predictions, live questions and much more. Tickets here for live show and valid for a week-...
2 min
253
The Vaccine, Voters and a Reconnection With The...
A preview of Wednesday evening's livestream plus questions on whether the fashion for localism is misplaced, Keir Starmer, the vaccine 'war' and why we should be alarmed that most people in the UK have little or no interest in politics. Tickets for...
40 min
254
Personalities or Policies-What Matters More?
Tony Benn used to argue it was the policies and not the personalities that mattered. Was he right-with reference to Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, RIshi Sunak and Boris Johnson? Rock N Roll Politics is streaming live at 7 on Mar 17th. Tickets here:...
45 min
255
Prime Ministers and Chancellors
The defining relationships in British politics is that between Prime Minister and Chancellor and Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Chancellor...substantial relationships are the key to durable success...bad relationships are a factor in a...
48 min
256
The Bizarre Rise of Lord 'Frosty' Frost-an Embl...
Lord 'Frosty' Frost is now in the cabinet responsible for the Brexit negotiations that are far from done...Having negotiated a deal that is causing chaos. B Johnson is not a good judge of people...he thought Cummings was his saviour and has yet to see...
39 min
257
A few words about tonight's Rock N Roll Politic...
My theme for tonight's live stream-Can Keir Starmer win? Plus questions and unreliable predictions...book in advance and get the wine ready for tonight. The show will then be available for seven days if it clashes with anyone's packed schedules. ...
1 min
258
Listening to Rock N Roll Politics while walking...
A special focussing on brilliant questions from Brexit to Scotland and a mini travelogue as we find out more where we listen to the podcast...from Australia to Germany and on to the great Manchester canal. Join me for the live stream on...
44 min
259
Boris Johnson Takes Control of the NHS
B Johnson proposes to take back control of the NHS - A reform of the reforms introduced in the first term of this long serving government. It is right to do so..and it was always absurd for the Cameron government to give away significant powers while...
44 min
260
Vaccines, Brexit and the Irish Question
The Northern Ireland protocol is looking wobbly already...that's because it doesn't answer the Irish Question arising from Brexit...Plus the lessons of UK's vaccine triumph..brilliant questions and the definitive answer to B Johnson's hair style....
51 min
261
Covid, Brexit And A Fear of Contemplating Conse...
Boris Johnson speaks and acts on a daily basis...but why does he show little sign of thinking through the consequences of what he says and does? Plus new questions on the implications of the Biden presidency, referendums, the art of leadership, Jeremy...
44 min
262
B Johnson's Hair And The Other Big Issues Of Ou...
In this week's episode we focus on listeners' brilliant questions including ones on referendums and how they might work, Joe Biden...and B Johnson's hair style. Rock N Roll Politics- the Latest Lockdown Special streams live at Kings Place this...
49 min
263
Trump and 'the Special Relationship'
Is the 'special relationship' of such value to the UK that it prevents British Prime Ministers from making critical judgements about US Presidents and their administrations? Plus..more U turns from B Johnson ...brilliant questions about...
41 min
264
Brexit Far From Done..And Another Late Lockdown
When I heard that the Brexit deal was 'done' I wondered how all the fundamental conflicts had been resolved. The answer is that they have not been..all the thorny questions have been kicked in to the long grass...and B Johnson stumbles belatedly in to...
32 min
265
My favourite Political Interview..Ever
For the Rock N Roll Politics Podcast Brexit/Covid Festive Special I reflect on my favourite political interview ...at the suggestion of a listener. Thanks to all of you for listening in 2020..and the for the brilliant questions..what a year..and we're...
34 min
266
The No Deal/Bad Deal (but better than a no deal...
We explore the layers of tragic irony as the UK heads for the cliff's edge via the never ending Brexit saga. Tickets for Rock N Roll Politics live at Kings Place and the live stream are available here. The Prime Ministers-Reflections on Leadership...
38 min
267
The Dangerous Self- Confidence of Etonian Prime...
One of the biggest differences between Conservative Prime Ministers and the few Labour leaders that have made it to Number 10 is their level of self confidence. B Johnson has pursued the hardest possible Brexit without agonising about its impact on...
36 min
268
Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Rebel Tory MPs
Michael Gove wrote a well argued essay in the Times explaining the reasoning behind the new tier system. Within hours a panic stricken Boris Johnson implicitly undermined the arguments to appease Conservative MPs..and even before the tiers replace the...
36 min
269
Form A Square Around the Pritster
With Rock N Roll Politics streaming live on Monday at 7 here's a great chance on the podcast to have more time for your brilliant questions, this time from BBC interviewing styles to the Number 10 'reset'...Plus B Johnson's use of the term 'Pritster'...
33 min
270
Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and a Downing S...
With the departure of Dominic Cummings there is much talk of a 'reset' in Downing Street... But how much will really change or can change? Plus more brilliant questions..keep them coming : . Tickets for Rock N Roll Politics the live lockdown special...
34 min
271
Biden, Merkel, Macron....and Brexit Johnson.
The victory of Joe Biden and the fall of Donald Trump raise many questions: What's the impact on the increasingly isolated B Johnson? Will 'Trumpism' flourish without Trump ( I doubt it)? Are there lessons for the BBC in CNN's grown up coverage (Yes)?...
31 min
272
Johnson and Lockdown; Starmer and Corbyn
We're living through epic times...B Johnson calls a second national lockdown inevitably. Yet he acts weeks after he was advised to do so..the same dark sequence as in the spring. When leaders are out of their depth they repeat past misjudgements...
44 min
273
Boris Johnson V Andy Burnham and Marcus Rashford
A government with a big majority faces a dizzying array of critics less than a year since its election victory -some of its own MPs highlight forensically what's wrong with the 'world beating Test and Trace' system, Marcus Rashford is once again the...
42 min
274
Covid Response in the UK and the Consequences o...
A preview of the live stream of Rock N Roll Politics from the Kings Place Website at 7pm on Monday (and available for a few days after the live event). There'a lot to catch up on..Brexit, Covid latest, your questions and much more. Tickets here: ...
5 min
275
Steve Richards Presents Rock n Roll Politics
Boris Johnson's unconvincing 'Third Way' on Covid
38 min