Episodios

  • What are the differences between Reform and the Tories?

    What are the differences between Reform and the Tories?
    Jan 20 2026
    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 get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 m
  • How big is the schism on the right?

    How big is the schism on the right?
    Jan 16 2026
    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 Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 m
  • What do U-turns tell us about a government?

    What do U-turns tell us about a government?
    Jan 13 2026
    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 there's a lot to make sense of! Tickets here. Back the podcast on 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 m
  • Is Starmer’s focus on the cost of living more risky than it seems?

    Is Starmer’s focus on the cost of living more risky than it seems?
    Jan 9 2026
    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 free. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 m
  • How long can Starmer claim he has no view on Trump and Venezuela?

    How long can Starmer claim he has no view on Trump and Venezuela?
    Jan 6 2026
    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 Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 m
  • The Defectors Part 3: A Festive Series - Carswell and Reckless (Tory to UKIP)

    The Defectors Part 3: A Festive Series - Carswell and Reckless (Tory to UKIP)
    Jan 1 2026
    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 presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 m
  • The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour)

    The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour)
    Dec 29 2025
    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 out now, available here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    32 m
  • The Defectors Part 1: A Festive Series - Reg Prentice (Labour to Tories)

    The Defectors Part 1: A Festive Series - Reg Prentice (Labour to Tories)
    Dec 24 2025
    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 podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, available here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 m