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.
276
Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings
Even if most voters are paying no attention the allegations around B Johnson's integrity and judgement will destabilise Number 10, the wider government...and, indeed, B Johnson, a figure unused to facing consequences of earlier decisions and conduct....
42 min
277
David Cameron and A Long Serving Government
Imagine if Ed Balls or John McDonnell had been Chancellor. Cameron would've been in no position to text them. This is partly a saga of one party rule at Westminster..plus your questions and who will win the Hartlepool by-election? The...
32 min
278
Tonight's live show
Just a quick reminder about tonight's live show and what we'll be doing...including the lessons from the contrasting careers of David Cameron and Shirley Williams, live questions and unreliable predictions.. Tickets here: ...
2 min
279
A Prince Dies
Such a lot to cram in..BBC's response to Prince Phillip's death, Northern Ireland, Sturgeon v Salmond latest...and I reveal what I'll be covering on this Thursday's Rock N Roll Politics streaming live at 7pm and then available for another week. ...
31 min
280
Alastair Campbell On K Starmer, T Blair and th...
I'm joined by Alastair Campbell to reflect on Ed Miliband's leadership, Keir Starmer and Tony Blair as he publishes his revelatory diaries that span 2010-2015..plus brilliant questions on A Salmond, K Starmer and the Covid Inquiry...and the latest...
54 min
281
Salmond V Sturgeon-The Most Significant Twist S...
Alex Salmond sets up a new party and some senior SNP figures defect. Whatever the other consequences defections will be destabilising for N Sturgeon and her team..No parallel is precise but Tory defections to UKIP freaked out the normally too calm D...
47 min
282
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
283
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
284
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
285
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
286
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
287
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
288
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
289
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
290
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
291
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
292
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
293
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
294
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
295
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
296
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
297
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
298
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
299
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
300
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