Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

In this latest episode I reflect on wider implications of the Newsnight interview with George Osborne and the subsequent glorious response of Polly Toynbee- when it was suggested that she and the former Chancellor were now relatively 'close' politically...and related to this: Who's winning the battle of ideas? The winner of this battle also wins elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast I explore the most destructive and potent theme in UK politics -'betrayal'. If T May insists on the false Brexit choice of 'her deal v no deal' those feeling 'betrayed' will be Hardline Brexiteers, Soft Brexiteers and Remainers. Even May wins the Commons' vote on her deal the story of 'betrayal' will trigger a thousand more political explosions...and also the Liberal Democrats struggling to become significant and more on my unscripted TV Talks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I explore the Prime Ministers we never had. All the factors that blocked them apply to Boris Johnson making it much less likely that he will be the next PM. In connection with Boris' fate I also reflect on my next BBC series of unscripted TV talks on the theme of 'PMs We Never Had' and why ad libbing to camera in a single take is a good way-in my view- of conveying the drama and epic significance of politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode-Referendums are a nightmare and yet a second Brexit referendum is both desirable and feasible; Corbyn and anti semitism-the furore over the latest imprecise British political scandal becomes even less focussed and more vague; the hidden divide that is more significant than 'open versus closed'...and I apologise for failing to meet a pledge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My reflections on Brexit latest and the Labour anti semitism row-another in a long line of imprecise UK political scandals...and then a chance to hear Andrew Adonis in spellbinding form live at the recent Kings Place Politics Festival. One pro- European said to me afterwards 'For one hour I believed everything was possible'.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the merits, flaws and chances of a new political party being formed? At the recent Kings Place Politics Festival Ian Birrell, Rachel Sylvester, Jonathan Freedland and I explored the ups and downs of a new party. As part of this podcast the event is broadcast. Relax on a beach-or anywhere- and listen!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflections on what will not happen in the Brexit saga. There'll be no National Government. There'll be no election. Theresa May's Brexit Plan will not last, but her Plan is a battered shield while the rest of us search for an alternative plan...And the BBC needs some much deeper thinking on what means is to be a publicly funded organisation reporting in wild times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflections on latest Brexit eruptions... two cabinet resignations, the possibility of parliamentary paralysis in relation to Brexit and why a schism in the Conservative party is more likely than an early election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many lessons from the shambolic introduction of new railway timetables and most of them apply to all public services in the UK. They are so obvious and yet political and media culture in the UK -or England- does not all allow us to go near the obvious...and only a very little bit this week on Brexit before a very big bit to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, was one of the many star guests at the recent Kings Place Politics Festival. Speaking to me as around 100 000 people were marching in London calling for a 'people's referendum' on Brexit Keir Starmer explains how and why the Labour leadership takes a different position. He also talks about the leap from being the Director of Public Prosecutions to a Labour politician in a pivotal post... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.