Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

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Latest episodes

• Is Kemi Badenoch the leader returning to the past?

  October 6, 2026 · 40 min

  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 - like all Tory leaders - to Thatcherism, at a time when voters are turning against the consequences…

• Rock & Roll Politics Live: What has Andy Burnham unleashed?

  October 2, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

  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 on December 7th, stay tuned for more details to follow. Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive…

• Will the media allow Andy Burnham to generate hope?

  September 29, 2026 · 44 min

  Burnham is a natural, confident communicator - and he has promised change. including a National Care Service. But the media noise is about the need to be ‘realistic’, which usually means right wing. The noise is loud and will be difficult…

• How Can Burnham Deliver the Biggest Change in 40 Years?

  September 25, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

  On the eve of the Labour conference I speak to the brilliant Michael Jacobs - former adviser to Gordon Brown, founder of Compass and supporter of Mainstream, an important platform for Andy Burnham as he moved towards Number 10. Michael…

• What’s the most effective slogan in modern politics?

  September 22, 2026 · 47 min

  The Rock & Roll Politics co-operative continues our never-ending debate on the economy, defence and the Israeli government as I hail the most effective slogan in British politics for decades. To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock…

• The UK economic crisis - Does anyone know what they’re talking about?

  September 18, 2026 · 53 min

  The Greek chorus of experts condemn "another tax and spend socialist government”. What does that mean? They also call for "welfare reform" to produce instant big cuts. How? The lack of clarity fuels the hysteria about an economic…

• Should Reform be allowed to spend the crypto-billionaires’ money?

  September 15, 2026 · 45 min

  Reform have received donations from crypto billionaires that amount to more than all the cash spent by the parties at the last election. Will it make a difference to the next election? Will it undermine Reform’s claim to lead ‘the people’s…

• Is Ed Miliband a rare example of a foreign secretary changing foreign policy?

  September 11, 2026 · 35 min

  A cathartic moment: the British government announces sanctions against Nethanyahu’s government in Israel. Ed Miliband prepared the ground assiduously and acted. While most foreign secretaries are not significant change makers, Miliband can…