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Artwork for Rock & Roll Politics

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Steve Richards
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
UK Politics
Brexit
Conservative Party
Rachel Reeves
Andy Burnham
Rishi Sunak
Tony Blair
Nigel Farage
Reform Party
NHS
Donald Trump
Public Services
British Politics
Peter Mandelson
European Union
Immigration
Ed Miliband
Economic Growth

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes507Founded8 years ago
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PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Rock & Roll Politics

Latest Episodes

It’s the question asked of all incoming mid term prime ministers - should they get their own mandate? Should they call an election during their early honeymoon? But the risks- always - are huge.

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll ... more

At the height of summer here are some political book recommendations from the distant past. Plus: how to hold local councils and mayors to account, and can the co-operative sort out FIFA?

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politic... more

In the recent Greater Manchester mayoral contest the Conservatives finished behind Reform UK and Restore Britain. The right are split three ways for the first time in British political history, where usually the left vote fractures fatally. What are ... more

A whole series of prime ministers have promised a National Care service, but none have delivered. Can Andy Burnham? Plus brilliant questions in our never-ending debate on the opening of the Burnham era and the political drama in France.

Rock & Roll ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dominica Joule
French correspondent for Rock & Roll Politics Cooperative
Rock & Roll Politics Cooperative
Episode: Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service?
Mike Burgess
Panelist participating in discussions about Farage, media scrutiny, and politics
Rock and Roll Politics Cooperative
Episode: Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial?
Paul Kelly
Panelist contributing to debates on devolution, local governance, and party dynamics
Rock & Roll Politics Cooperative
Episode: Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial?
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester (at the time) and former Cabinet Minister
Greater Manchester Combined Authority / UK Government
Episode: What does Andy Burnham really think?
Andrew Wilkinson
Regular eyewitness/listener contributing an on-site perspective from Makerfield
Constituency watcher (Makerfield)
Episode: What if Keir Starmer is right on defence?
Simon Fell
British politician
Conservative Party
Episode: Can or should a King change Trump’s view of ’the special relationship'?
Alan Johnson
Former cabinet minister, author of a Harold Wilson biography
Former British Government
Episode: Alan Johnson on Wilson, Blair and Starmer
Dominique Joule
French correspondent
France
Episode: Why did Starmer ignore the evidence against Mandelson?
Shaun Woodward
Former Conservative MP who defected to Labour and later served as a Labour Cabinet Minister.
Labour Party
Episode: The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour)

Host

Steve Richards
Host of Rock & Roll Politics, experienced political broadcaster and author with a history of UK parliamentary coverage and media analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • He only does one…

    …he only does one podcast.

    Stevey Richards, not another one!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    George Agdgdgdwango
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Cogitation Connoisseur

    Great on domestic matters, clueless on international affairs and defence.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlands2 months ago
  • Great listen despite the obvious political bias

    He’s such an easy listening style one of my favourites even if you can pin down easily exactly where steve is on the political spectrum . Think he needs to be a bit less overtly anti Tory/Reform as recently his argument have been very one sided but still a good podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Luke knavesmire
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Lefty love in

    I have listened to a few of these although it lacks any balance or understanding of the issues of large state lefty governments.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ghffnn
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Ed Milliband

    An excellent analysis of Gove’s column -this is where your experience and knowledge of politicians and political history come to the fore -most people reading the column will nod in agreement without knowing how shallow it was at least in some of his argument

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scot in England
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Open, educational, and well-argued with audience participation.
Some reviews note coverage can feel biased or partisan, but many find the depth and delivery compelling.
Strong historical context but some perceived bias in coverage.
Thoughtful, nuanced political analysis with a warm, engaging host.
Listeners appreciate the cooperative community and host's depth of knowledge.
Highly praised for depth and breadth; occasional criticism for perceived one-sidedness.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#52
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#189
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#194
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#211
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#213
Belgium/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will Andy Burnham’s big idea work?
Q: What are the risks and benefits of transferring more power to local authorities and mayors?
Transfers can unlock better local accountability and tailored services if paired with strong oversight, but they require robust mechanisms to ensure money is spent wisely and that residents understand how funds are used.
Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie?
Q: Should there be an early election given Burnham's reforms, and how should that be framed for the public?
The host argues that delaying an early election preserves stability and demonstrates control over timing, noting historical examples like Gordon Brown; he emphasizes clarity and consistency in messaging over time rather than reactive electoral signaling.
Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie?
Q: Sam Bates wonders, is there any significance in the fact that Andy Burnham is due to become the first co-operative party prime minister?
The host notes that the cooperative movement's influence aligns with Burnham's broader devolution and local empowerment themes, suggesting the idea could reflect a broader shift toward more locally grounded governance; the question is acknowledged as part of a larger pattern of decentralization.
What does Andy Burnham really think?
Q: How do you compare national Labour leadership on devolution with your experience at the local level?
Burnham notes a shift toward a more enthusiastic and pragmatic approach to devolution at the national level, implying that local experience informs and accelerates broader reform of the UK's constitutional arrangements.
What does Andy Burnham really think?
Q: If you were to get those powers, would you need more resources from central government?
He emphasizes the need for both authorities and funding, arguing that Whitehall is hesitant to cede control but that real devolution requires both autonomy and the resources to match.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rock & Roll Politics

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

A sharp, opinionated UK politics podcast hosted by a seasoned broadcaster who provides a weekly, in-depth, historical context to current events, media coverage, and electoral dynamics. Episodes commonly thread together by-elections, party strategy, Devolution, leadership contests, and the balance between state power and public policy, often incorporating listener questions and live-show notes. Noteworthy traits include a strong emphasis on historical parallels, clear stance on major issues, and a collaborative listener community branded as a cooperative. This makes it particularly appealing to listeners who want thoughtful analysis with a narrative through-line and occasional humor, plus a robust sponsorship channel for politically engaged ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Rock & Roll Politics?

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

1. Not Another One
2. Oh God, What Now?
3. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
4. The Politics Show
5. Quiet Riot

How many episodes of Rock & Roll Politics are there?

Rock & Roll Politics launched 8 years ago and published 507 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?

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What guests have appeared on Rock & Roll Politics?

Recent guests on Rock & Roll Politics include:

1. Dominica Joule
2. Mike Burgess
3. Paul Kelly
4. Andy Burnham
5. Andrew Wilkinson
6. Simon Fell
7. Alan Johnson
8. Dominique Joule

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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