Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

The Reform candidate in the historic Makerfield by- election has struggled to answer obvious questions about policy and his own social media comments. In today’s dangerous anti-politics mood could this be an advantage for him?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comSubscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.

This week Nigel Farage has chosen to fuel ‘hatred’ in relation to a horrific murder, seeking to politicise crudely and obviously. Has he been too crude and obvious? Is the fracturing on the right an opportunity for the government, or is it triggering a dangerous debate framed by the far right?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comPatreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here.You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Tony Blair’s essay has triggered detailed responses from Keir Starmer, potential successors and others within the government. Is this a healthy development for a party that seemed fearful of internal debate. or the start of a fatal divide?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comPatreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here.You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.

In Tony Blair’s latest long essay he claims to be on the ‘radical centre’. In which case, why are his largely vague arguments welcomed most by those on the right? His elegant writing and capacity to frame big arguments convey a sense of clarity. Time to delve deep to see if he’s as clear as he appears to be.• Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to explore the seismic consequences of the Makerfield by-election, and what could happen next. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here. • Patreon subscribers can sign up for an exclusive live event on Monday 8th of June. • Subscribe to Patreon here to get the main podcast a day early and ad free, plus bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Leaders and potential leaders are often far more interesting than the stereotypes reported by political journalists. Is this the case with Andy Burnham?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comPatreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here.You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Another date for the diary: an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Keir Starmer continues as Prime Minister. Andy Burnham fights a by-election as a potential future Prime Minister. Is Burnham a by- election candidate and leadership candidate simultaneously? Or can he pull off being the by- election candidate first, before the scrutiny of a leadership challenge? Meanwhile Wes Streeting refers to a leadership contest - even though he is not yet a candidate. Time to delve deep…To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comSubscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Wes Streeting says he wants Britain to rejoin the EU at some point. Andy Burnham has noted often that Brexit has been a calamitous seismic shock, and the cabinet and most voters agree. Yet this is a return to the ‘Brexit Wars’ - and not only because of the Makerfield by-election. Can there ever be a grown up debate on Brexit?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comSubscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.

After a week of high political drama, some raging questions are answered. Starmer wants to stay, Streeting has resigned, and Burnham has a route to the Commons. But now another question arises - can he win?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comSubscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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 people when he was a key figure in creating the current ‘status quo’?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.comSubscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.