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...
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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 449 episodes
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...
Can Burnham revive Labour in Scotland and Wales?
The May elections triggered the ultimate drama – a change of prime minister. This meant reflections on the actual results were limited yet i...
Will Andy Burnham call an early election?
It’s the question asked of all incoming mid term prime ministers - should they get their own mandate? Should they call an election during th...
What to read on our summer holidays?
At the height of summer here are some political book recommendations from the distant past. Plus: how to hold local councils and mayors to a...
The right is split three ways. What are the consequences?
In the recent Greater Manchester mayoral contest the Conservatives finished behind Reform UK and Restore Britain. The right are split three...
Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service?
A whole series of prime ministers have promised a National Care service, but none have delivered. Can Andy Burnham? Plus brilliant questions...
Are we going back to the 1970s?
Less than a week since Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, the Greek chorus of commentators have warned that Britain is ‘going back to t...
Will Andy Burnham’s new cabinet deliver the biggest change in 40 years?
Andy Burnham has promised the biggest change in 40 years. Is his new cabinet ready to deliver - and does he know how to bring about the chan...
Was Keir Starmer more of a change-maker than he seemed?
Keir Starmer takes a bow amidst much talk that he lacked a mission and sense of governing purpose… but what happens if we follow the policy...
What are the lessons in the fall and rise of Louise Haigh?
Louise Haigh is a key figure in Andy Burnham’s team and will be back in the cabinet next week when Burnham becomes Prime Minister - a remark...