Episodes

  • What does Lammy's friendship with JD Vance tell us?

    What does Lammy's friendship with JD Vance tell us?
    Aug 13 2025
    The Veep seems an unlikely holidaymaker in the UK but the foreign secretary has been wooing him for a long time. Our team discuss political friendships across the divide, including our own. Plus: Badenoch and Britishness.

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    47 mins
  • Question time: Is there too much doom and gloom?

    Question time: Is there too much doom and gloom?
    Aug 8 2025

    In this listeners’ question time episode, the team tackle a wide range of subjects. Is there too much doom and gloom? Is it time for ID cards? Could any government raise income tax? Why has the country forgotten Covid? And a listener asks: who are we? A good question.


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    42 mins
  • Has any party got a policy to stop the boats?

    Has any party got a policy to stop the boats?
    Aug 6 2025
    An intense political battle is being fought over August, normally quiet in Westminster. It centres on the small boats and wider migration issues. But amidst the conflicting claims and policy ideas the boats keep on coming. The movement of people is a global crisis at least as challenging as the crash of 2008. Are leaders in Britain and elsewhere even close to meeting it?

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    47 mins
  • What is the role of uncertainty in politics?

    What is the role of uncertainty in politics?
    Aug 1 2025
    Is UK politics obsessed with certainty in an uncertain age? The terms of debate often demand that politicians and even the media adopt a fixed position and argue from strong convictions. This weekend's episode explores the virtues of doubt and pragmatism during a period of tumult.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    34 mins
  • How will Starmer navigate his difficult summer?

    How will Starmer navigate his difficult summer?
    Jul 30 2025
    With numerous crises to contend with on both the domestic and diplomatic front, Downing Street is hunkered down, looking towards an autumn Budget and a party conference speech from the PM that minimises or moves past this difficult phase in the life of the government. What might work? Unsolicited advice from the team as we ennumerate all his challanges.

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    50 mins
  • Who are the winners and losers at the end of the parliamentary year?

    Who are the winners and losers at the end of the parliamentary year?
    Jul 26 2025
    How did Labour’s first twelve months in power go? Will the recent rebellions fade away or grow? Our team consider where it all stands as Parliament goes into recess for the summer. We also ask whether the Tories can turn it around and assess the fortunes of the numerous other parties.

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    45 mins
  • Do reshuffles make any difference?

    Do reshuffles make any difference?
    Jul 23 2025

    As Kemi Badenoch conducts her first extensive reshuffle we explore the degree to which her moves will improve the Tories’ fortunes, or make them worse, with a focus on the role of Robert Jenrick. Plus, is Keir Starmer right not to conduct a cabinet reshuffle after his first year in power? Much agreeable disagreement.


    Steve is presenting his RocknRoll Politics show at the Edinburgh Festival. Tickets here:

    https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/steve-richards-presents-rock-and-roll-politics

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    48 mins
  • Is Donald Trump's policy agenda winning?

    Is Donald Trump's policy agenda winning?
    Jul 18 2025
    The US President has shifted on Ukraine - criticising Putin and facilitating more weapons for Kyiv. Has the Russian leader miscalculated? On Iran, the US has managed to isolate the regime. Domestically, Trump’s opponents are still in disarray. Six months in to his second term, is Donald Trump proving his critics wrong? Or is America heading in a sinister direction?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins