Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Keir Starmer was not even an MP when Peter Mandelson was part of the New Labour project - a relatively small part. Yet he seems to have had considerable influence over the leadership of Starmer and Morgan McSweeney. Now it is Starmer who is in deep trouble over Mandelson, a figure who was last in government in 2010. How has this happened?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place next Wednesday. There are a few tickets left, and it will be quite a night in light of fast moving events. Tickets here.

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Written and presented by Steve Richards.
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In the Gorton and Denton by-election Reform dares to hope it will win. Which party should opponents of Reform back to prevent such an outcome, and what are the wider lessons of the dilemmas for tactical voters?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Wednesday February 11th. It’s the first show of 2026, and a lot has happened since the last one. Tickets here.

Subscribe 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.
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A new group has been launched within the Conservative Party aimed at reviving the much diminished ‘One Nation’ wing. Kemi Badenoch has been dismissive. Has she made a fatal strategic miscalculation?

The first Rock & Roll Politics  live show of the year is on February 11th at Kings Place…. there’s a lot to make sense of that night. Tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-8/

Written and presented by Steve Richards.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Predictably Keir Starmer has blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the forthcoming by-election. Has Labour had enough of this unique style of party management where those seen as to the left of Starmer and Morgan McSweeney, or a leadership ’threat’, are crushed, briefed against, expelled, suspended or blocked? Or was this Starmer’s only available route? 

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the main hall in Kings Place on February 11th, where we will have the chance to delve even deeper - and have some laughs as well…hopefully.  Tickets here.

Subscribe 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.
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Trump has pulled back from the brink, but not before he publicly attacked European leaders, including Keir Starmer. The British prime minister also expressed publicly his opposition to Trump’s plans to ‘control’ Greenland and threaten tariffs.

Outside the EU and with a US President launching threats and public onslaughts, where is Britain’s place in the world? Plus, brilliant questions on the split between Reform and the Conservatives.

Rock & Roll Politics is live on February 11th with a brand new show. Tickets here.

Join in the never ending debate by e-mailing [email protected]

Subscribe 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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices