Immigration – Can Britain ever have a reasoned debate?
Shock! Horror! Shabana Mahmood announces a “U-turn” on her immigration plans . What did anyone expect after the original proposals were anno...
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News & Politics
Steve Richards presents the Rock N Roll Politics podcast
Based on his live one man show Rock N 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 vie...
Episodes
20 of 458 episodes
What are the obstacles to an early election?
There is (and will continue to be) speculation about a General Election next spring, freeing Andy Burnham from the constraints of Labour’s 2...
Is the cautious budget a prelude to radical change?
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 imple...
Will John Healey rise to the titanic Budget challenges?
John Healey presents his first Budget – constrained by a fragile economy, international turmoil, the red lines of Labour’s timid 2024 electi...
How Wars End – Part Two
I knew my reflections on the Russia-Ukraine War and wider global tensions would trigger a brilliant reaction from the Rock & Roll Politics c...
How do wars end?
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 R...
Did Liz Truss have a point?
The Office for Budget Responsibility continues to play a big part in pre-budget calculations - but should it? Nobody elected the OBR, as Liz...
Why is it time to talk about Brexit again?
The consequences of Brexit have been rarely explored since Lord Frosty Frost negotiated a trade deal that was agreed chaotically on Christma...
What next for Zack Polanski?
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 Conserva...
Is Kemi Badenoch the leader returning to the past?
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 - l...
Rock & Roll Politics Live: What has Andy Burnham unleashed?
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...
Will the media allow Andy Burnham to generate hope?
Burnham is a natural, confident communicator - and he has promised change. including a National Care Service. But the media noise is about t...
How Can Burnham Deliver the Biggest Change in 40 Years?
On the eve of the Labour conference I speak to the brilliant Michael Jacobs - former adviser to Gordon Brown, founder of Compass and support...
What’s the most effective slogan in modern politics?
The Rock & Roll Politics co-operative continues our never-ending debate on the economy, defence and the Israeli government as I hail the mos...
The UK economic crisis - Does anyone know what they’re talking about?
The Greek chorus of experts condemn "another tax and spend socialist government”. What does that mean? They also call for "welfare reform" t...
Should Reform be allowed to spend the crypto-billionaires’ money?
Reform have received donations from crypto billionaires that amount to more than all the cash spent by the parties at the last election. Wil...
Is Ed Miliband a rare example of a foreign secretary changing foreign policy?
A cathartic moment: the British government announces sanctions against Nethanyahu’s government in Israel. Ed Miliband prepared the ground as...
How bold will John Healey be?
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 c...
Will the media ever allow an honest ‘tax and spend’ debate?
Westminster is staging another hysterical debate about tax and spend in which there is no coherence or honesty. They are all trying to woo t...
Are there worrying signs in Burnham’s honeymoon?
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 tr...