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Artwork for Rock & Roll Politics

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Steve Richards
Labour Party
Rishi Sunak
Conservative Party
Keir Starmer
UK Politics
Public Services
Boris Johnson
NHS
Great British Railways
Post Office Scandal
UK Economy
Covid Inquiry
Tax Cuts
Immigration
Brexit
Political Accountability
Covid-19 Inquiry
Accountability
Jeremy Hunt
Labor Party

Based on his live one-man show Rock & 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 view the epic political dramas. The future is ridiculously unpredictable and the past is so easy to misread. Subscribe to your weekly guide through seismic times.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes427Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePoliticsNews

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Artwork for Rock & Roll Politics

Latest Episodes

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 records for low ratings?

The first show of 2026 i... more

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, making sense of Nigel Farage, Zack Polanski, Jeremy Cor... more

Trump’s National Security Strategy is scathing about Europe, and in interviews he intensified his attack on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Where does this leave Britain’s place in the world? Out of the EU and no longer able to claim there’s a relia... more

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have started to become more critical of the ‘Brexit Deal’. David Lammy highlights the benefits of a customs union. The Brexit minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, is promoted. But does this mean a cautious government is movin... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Cabinet Office Minister and author of biographies of Labour leaders, including Harold Wilson.
UK Government
Episode: Nick Thomas-Symonds on Labour prime ministers, leadership threats and Europe
Christian Wolmar
Transport expert and author of various books on railways
Episode: Should transport be a top priority for Starmer? – in conversation with Christian Wolmar
Stuart Grant
Barometer voter who voted Tory in 2019, now critical of the government and voted for Reform in the upcoming election.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Alex Hyde
Contributor discussing the UK-US special relationship and its implications for British Prime Ministers.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Matthew Ryder
Concerned about the Prime Minister's work-life balance and advocates for a family holiday for Keir Starmer.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Patrick Martin
A reform supporter who comments on Labour's leadership and potential cabinet challenges if Reform wins the next election.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Fraser Oates
Listener who inquires about interview styles in politics and their impact on public interest.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Estella Baker
Engaged with local political dynamics in Leicester, discussing community dissatisfaction with Labour.
Episode: For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Michael Heseltine
A veteran British politician, former Deputy Prime Minister, and member of the Conservative Party
Former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Episode: In conversation with Michael Heseltine

Host

Steve Richards
Host of Rock and Roll Politics, a broadcaster and author with expertise in political journalism and analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Intelligent analysis with a twang of guitar

    Steve has created an excellent nook in the Podcast Church of Anything. He thinks deeply about political events of the day and would I think, be an excellent confederate to almost any Politician. His mimicry is top notch, he has a sense of fun and it’s just a nice person. A top listen and worth paying for - itself a badge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mac Jeyell
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • Great podcast

    Expertly crafted political insights laced with genuine compassion and positivity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlandsa month ago
  • If you only listen to one UK political podcast, make it this one

    Open-minded, deeply informed political analysis from a broadcaster who actively embraces complexity and debate — and who is a joy to listen to. I started listening earlier in 2025 and it’s already become indispensable — I’m now a happy annual subscriber.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    weesimon
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

    Steve Richards is essential weekly podcast listening. With his knowledge and experience he gives us the historical context of practically everything to help us make sense of what is happening now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Puglia Princess
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Nick Keith

    Steve is consistently the best political podcaster in the UK with his wealth of experience and support from his listeners - his ‘cooperative’. Unmissable - along with ‘Not Another One’, his other podcast with 3 other commentators.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IAmShakespeare
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host is praised for being knowledgeable and articulate, making the complex world of politics more accessible.
Listeners appreciate the insightful commentary and historical context provided, with many noting the depth of analysis on current political issues.
There are mixed reviews, with some expressing the need for more varied perspectives and critiques of partisan biases in analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#92
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#111
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#116
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#137
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Could The Conservatives Recover?
Q: Isn't the truth that in the age of 24-hour news and countless podcasts providing constant analysis, politicians can't get away with these word games anymore?
Yes, the scrutiny is significantly higher now, making it essential for clear and focused communication from politicians during budget announcements.
Should transport be a top priority for Starmer? – in conversation with Christian Wolmar
Q: How do you address the public ownership of railways issue?
The lack of public speeches on this issue raises concerns about Labour's commitment.
Rock & Roll Politics Live at the Edinburgh Festival
Q: How will Keir Starmer's leadership shape the future of the Labour Party?
Starmer's low ratings may prompt discussions about alternative leadership figures, such as Andy Burnham.
For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Q: What implications would Farage's election have for the political landscape?
Richards explains that Farage leading a parliamentary party poses many challenges, especially given the Conservatives' experience and a new party's struggle to claim power credibly.
For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term?
Q: What do you think the Labour government needs to address in order to maintain public support?
Stuart Grant highlights the need for Labour to obtain meaningful change and restore public trust, noting the financial constraints and the challenges in achieving their promised policies.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Rock & Roll Politics

What is Rock & Roll Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes provide an engaging analysis of current UK political dynamics, focusing primarily on the Labour Party, its leaders, and key figures such as Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer. Notable discussions include economic policies, media influence, and the complexities surrounding public sentiment. The host, drawing from vast experience in political journalism, infuses each episode with historical context, making connections between past and present political events, which helps listeners navigate the often turbulent landscape of UK politics. The content is likely to appeal to those who appreciate in-depth commentary that balances critical insights with light-hearted moments.

Where can I find podcast stats for Rock & Roll Politics?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Rock & Roll Politics. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Rock & Roll Politics and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Rock & Roll Politics get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Rock & Roll Politics, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Rock & Roll Politics?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Rock & Roll Politics, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Rock & Roll Politics have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Rock & Roll Politics has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Rock & Roll Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rock & Roll Politics:

1. Not Another One
2. Daily Politics from the New Statesman
3. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
4. Oh God, What Now?
5. The Two Matts

How many episodes of Rock & Roll Politics are there?

Rock & Roll Politics launched 8 years ago and published 427 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rock & Roll Politics?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Rock & Roll Politics?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Rock & Roll Politics from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Rock & Roll Politics?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Rock & Roll Politics. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Rock & Roll Politics?

Recent guests on Rock & Roll Politics include:

1. Nick Thomas-Symonds
2. Christian Wolmar
3. Stuart Grant
4. Alex Hyde
5. Matthew Ryder
6. Patrick Martin
7. Fraser Oates
8. Estella Baker

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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