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Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

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

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 weeklyEpisodes479Founded8 years ago
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NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Latest Episodes

All leaders and potential leaders agree the urgent need to move on from what Keir Starmer calls vaguely ‘the status quo’. Nigel Farage claims to lead ‘the people’s revolt’ against the status quo. But why should he have the monopoly in leading the peo... more

Labour is slaughtered in spite of promising ‘change’ in a country desperate to move on from the failures of the past. But does Starmer - or potential successors - know what they mean by change? And does Farage?

To join in the never-ending debate in ... more

Reform and the Greens are expected to make stunning gains in this week's elections. But will either party be ready to develop coherent and credible policies - in line with their very different values - by the time of the general election? It is the p... more

King Charles delivered a perfectly pitched speech in Congress, with many barely coded messages. But will Trump, charmed by royalty, change his attitude to the elected government in the UK or to those in the rest of Europe?  Plus Morgan McSweeney, Pet... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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)
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?

Host

Steve Richards
Host of Rock & Roll Politics, he is a broadcaster and author known for his insightful analysis of UK politics and the media.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • Enjoy Other Opinions

    Years back, I enjoyed Dateline London (Sunday TV show) and thought the episodes were better with Steve Richards as a guest. I am not a UK resident but I do enjoy following the politics of this country. Full disclosure, I am of a different political position than Steve. That said, I think his knowledge, delivery and calmness while covering issues keep me listening to R n R Politics. An aside, I had a brief chat with him in public and he was very friendly. Good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Detroit London
    United States2 months ago
  • Write a review, but only a good one!

    On pain of death I am writing a good review for Steve Richard’s regular round up of Westminster politics.

    If you’ve seen Steve live, or even managed to catch his BBC4 tv shows (now archived on YouTube- they’re a must watch), he is delivering a breathless monologue inspired most often by recent Westminster events but in many cases takes a more broader look at ideas, albeit those that have come into view of late, or re-entered the fray.

    Steve has such a wealth of knowledge on Westminster, having... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kindablue1984
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Delve deep and Contextualise.

    It’s to Steve’s great credit that he has attracted the interest and loyalty of so politically diverse a range of listeners as make up what he refers to as the Rock & Roll Politics Collective. And you do really get a sense of a shared enterprise. This is especially true of the second half of the show when Steve responds to the collectives’ emails. The show begins with a deeply informed analysis of what’s making the news in politics. The whole thing’s conducted with enormous warmth, generosity and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joz58
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are varying opinions on the depth of analysis, with some wanting a more detailed exploration of certain topics.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis, humor, and engaging narrative style of the host.
The podcast is noted for its in-depth exploration of political themes while maintaining an entertaining approach.
Feedback indicates a sense of community and listener interaction, enhancing the experience of political discourse.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#34
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#223
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
Belgium/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
Japan/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can or should a King change Trump’s view of ’the special relationship'?
Q: Simon Fell asks how a political party or leader can make an incremental case to win attention and persuade minds in a volatile media environment with fragmented outlets.
The host argues that incrementalism is not always the right approach in hugely challenging times; sometimes thinking big is necessary, and any effective strategy must connect a clear overarching purpose with interlinked policies to cut through noise and rebuild trust.
How vulnerable is Keir Starmer?
Q: I'm interested to hear your view on the role of the civil service in light of the Olly Robbins controversy. I often hear political commentators reflect the belief that unelected civil servants blocked the executive from exercising power. Does the Civil Service act as a block on executive action?
The civil service acts to deliver a clear sense of purpose once there is one, and will try to implement ministers' goals even if privately they disagree or are remainers; Robbins tried to smooth the path for Mandelson's ambitions, and Starmer's sacking of Robbins led to a reframing of the vetting process rather than a fundamental blockage in the civil service itself.
What have we learnt at the end of 2025?
Q: What lessons emerge from Gladstone's first budget that could apply to Rachel Reeves?
Gladstone had a clear strategy and dealt with opposing arguments effectively, which is something Rachel Reeves could learn from.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rock & Roll Politics

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

This podcast offers an insightful exploration of contemporary UK politics, blending humor and analysis to reflect on key political events and shifts. The host engages with various themes, including leadership dilemmas, electoral dynamics, and the impact of historical contexts on current political developments. Notably, the podcast features listener engagement, contributing a sense of community and shared narrative around political discussions. Its unique perspective on the interplay between politics and society makes it particularly noteworthy for those interested in nuanced, informed commentary on the changing political landscape.

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

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How many listeners does Rock & Roll Politics get?

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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. Oh God, What Now?
3. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
4. The Politics Show
5. How To Win An Election

How many episodes of Rock & Roll Politics are there?

Rock & Roll Politics launched 8 years ago and published 479 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Rock & Roll Politics?

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What guests have appeared on Rock & Roll Politics?

Recent guests on Rock & Roll Politics include:

1. Simon Fell
2. Alan Johnson
3. Dominique Joule
4. Shaun Woodward
5. Nick Thomas-Symonds
6. Christian Wolmar
7. Stuart Grant
8. Alex Hyde

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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