Steve Richards presents the Rock N Roll Politics Podcast
1) How big is the schism on the right?
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 seq...Show More
2) What do U-turns tell us about a government?
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...Show More
3) Is Starmer’s focus on the cost of living more risky than it seems?
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 governme...Show More
4) How long can Starmer claim he has no view on Trump and Venezuela?
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...Show More
5) The Defectors Part 3: A Festive Series - Carswell and Reckless (Tory to UKIP)
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 mai...Show More
6) The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour)
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 becam...Show More
The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour)
32:07 | Dec 29th, 2025
7) The Defectors Part 1: A Festive Series - Reg Prentice (Labour to Tories)
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 cabin...Show More
8) What have we learnt at the end of 2025?
We know more than we think we know … Sometimes what is in front of our eyes is more interesting than speculating about a hazy future. Here is what we know now about Keir Starmer’s fragility and the ev...Show More
9) Why does a 'narrative' matter so much?
Keir Starmer has endured a rough opening 18 months, but so did Tony Blair in quite similar ways. So why was Blair miles ahead in the polls in his early phase in power? And why is Starmer breaking all ...Show More
10) Rock & Roll Politics Live - How fragile is Keir Starmer?
Here’s the last live show of the year, recorded in the main concert hall at Kings Place. There’s a dramatic answer to the question, will Keir Starmer be prime minister this time next year? Plus, makin...Show More