Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

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

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 ...

2026-09-11

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How bold will John Healey be?

John Healey has made his first speech as chancellor, and therefore the biggest of his long career. Will he be part of the promised biggest change in forty years, or be closer to an echo of Rachel Reev...

2026-09-08

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Will the media ever allow an honest ‘tax and spend’ debate?

Westminster is staging another hysterical debate about tax and spend in which there is no coherence or honesty. They are all trying to woo the voters but it is the voters who lose out. RocknRoll Poli...

2026-09-04

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Are there worrying signs in Burnham’s honeymoon?

Andy Burnham has generated a sense of energy and purpose during the summer break - but is he in some key areas sowing the seeds of future trouble? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock &...

2026-09-01

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Can Burnham revive Labour in Scotland and Wales?

The May elections triggered the ultimate drama – a change of prime minister. This meant reflections on the actual results were limited yet in Scotland and Wales they were of historic significance. The...

2026-08-25

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Will Andy Burnham call an early election?

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. ...

2026-08-18

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What to read on our summer holidays?

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 ...

2026-08-11

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The right is split three ways. What are the consequences?

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 ...

2026-08-04

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Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service?

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 er...

2026-07-28

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Are we going back to the 1970s?

Less than a week since Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, the Greek chorus of commentators have warned that Britain is ‘going back to the 1970s’. But what do they mean, and does it make any sense...

2026-07-24

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Will Andy Burnham’s new cabinet deliver the biggest change in 40 years?

Andy Burnham has promised the biggest change in 40 years. Is his new cabinet ready to deliver - and does he know how to bring about the change he seeks? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock...

2026-07-21

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Was Keir Starmer more of a change-maker than he seemed?

Keir Starmer takes a bow amidst much talk that he lacked a mission and sense of governing purpose… but what happens if we follow the policy trail rather than all the noise around his leadership? In so...

2026-07-17

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What are the lessons in the fall and rise of Louise Haigh?

Louise Haigh is a key figure in Andy Burnham’s team and will be back in the cabinet next week when Burnham becomes Prime Minister - a remarkable comeback given she was sacked as Transport Secretary on...

2026-07-14

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Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial?

Farage faces Count Binface in his latest campaign. As a potential prime minister, isn’t there a better use of his time? Plus, Bridget Phillipson on how education can be an instrument of freedom, and t...

2026-07-10

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How much trouble is Nigel Farage in?

The Reform leader is facing more allegations about donations made before he was an MP. Can he lead a ‘people’s revolt’ when stories erupt around him that suggest he is far removed from ‘the people’? ...

2026-07-07

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Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie?

There’s a strong focus on Andy Burnham’s plans for devolution but he has identified a bigger challenge in what he has called ‘the outsourced state’, where unelected agencies and companies run muc...

2026-07-03

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Will Andy Burnham’s big idea work?

Andy Burnham has promised an historic transfer of power from the centre. Unlike some leaders who have made similar pledges he means it. But how will it work? To join in the never-ending debate in the...

2026-06-30

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Who should be Andy Burnham’s Chancellor?

The answer to this question is hugely significant. Look back and mid-term Prime Ministers fall out badly with their chosen Chancellor - too often Labour Prime Ministers seek to reassure the media and ...

2026-06-26

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What does Andy Burnham really think?

I revisit an interview I did with Andy Burnham before the general election, when there was no leadership speculation as Keir Starmer was so obviously heading for victory.  We explore where power...

2026-06-22

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Andy Burnham wins - what follows?

Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a triumphant margin. What does that mean for the government, and for Reform? To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-o...

2026-06-19

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Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

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