Share

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
What if Keir Starmer is right on defence?
Season 1, Ep. 419
•
Keir Starmer navigated around a reluctant Treasury and dissenting minsters to find a further significant increase in defence spending. It was not enough for John Healey and the mighty defence establishment, but where precisely would they find even more money? And would it be spent well?
Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to make sense of the fallout arising from this week’s historic by-election. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here.
Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on the 1st of July. Tickets are available here.
Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.
Written and presented by Steve Richards.
More episodes
View all episodes

432. The right is split three ways. What are the consequences?
39:10||Season 1, Ep. 432In 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 the implications as Andy Burnham makes his early moves?Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day.Tickets are available here. • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/steve • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/steve Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.
431. Can Andy Burnham deliver a National Care Service?
40:31||Season 1, Ep. 431A 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 Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday 16th of August with a different show each day.Tickets are available here.Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.
430. Are we going back to the 1970s?
33:12||Season 1, Ep. 430Less 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?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. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Fringe from Sunday August 16th, with a different show every day. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards.
429. Will Andy Burnham’s new cabinet deliver the biggest change in 40 years?
23:35||Season 1, Ep. 429Andy 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 & 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. Rock N Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival from Sunday August 16th. Get your tickets here. Written and presented by Steve Richards.
428. Was Keir Starmer more of a change-maker than he seemed?
34:18||Season 1, Ep. 428Keir 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 some respects he was more boldly radical than Tony Blair in his first two years as prime minister.To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com• Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Written and presented by Steve Richards.
427. What are the lessons in the fall and rise of Louise Haigh?
32:09||Season 1, Ep. 427Louise 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 only months after taking up the post. Haigh was widely admired during her brief period in the job but was targeted by Number 10. Now those who targeted her are gone, and she is at the centre of the new regime. There are big lessons about leadership and conviction in her oscillating career.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.Written and presented by Steve Richards.
426. Will a contest against Binface make Farage more prime-ministerial?
33:02||Season 1, Ep. 426Farage 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 the challenges of devolution.Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.
425. How much trouble is Nigel Farage in?
35:38||Season 1, Ep. 425The 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’?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.
424. Eve of the Burnham era: Where does power really lie?
32:24||Season 1, Ep. 424There’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 much of Britain. Plus, was Burnham right not to take questions from political editors at the end of his speech earlier this week?To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free. Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th, days before Burnham becomes Prime Minister - get your tickets here.Written and presented by Steve Richards.