Twenty years later the question is still posed. Why did Tony Blair decide to go to war in Iraq? I argue that his decision was not an aberration, but part of his flawed 'third way' approach to leadership — one that appears to be a mighty influence on Keir Starmer now. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham, March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London, Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm in conversation with Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy at Sheffield University, and former adviser to Gordon Brown on climate change. He was also chief executive of the Fabian Society in the buildup to 1997 election, and author of an IPPR report on economic policy that was hailed by both former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and his successor, Rachel Reeves. I speak to him about Labour's opposition to the latest budget, and how Keir Starmer's approach may change in the months leading up to the next election... Rock & Roll Politics is live: York, Mar 17th https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-prime-ministers-reflections-on-leadership-from-harold-wilson-to-rishi-sunak/ Birmingham Mar 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest self inflicted BBC crisis, over Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker as his views on the government's immigration policy, has followed the same pattern as previous ones. Can the BBC change this time, or will there be more self harm to come? Rock & Roll Politics is live: York, Mar 17th https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-prime-ministers-reflections-on-leadership-from-harold-wilson-to-rishi-sunak/ Birmingham Mar 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lord Finkelstein has had a unique career. A Times columnist, Tory peer and former advisor to Prime Ministers and leaders, he got his start as a member of centre-left SDP. Now, he’s on the board of Chelsea FC — a dream job, but one that brings with it some dilemmas on match day. I speak to him about disagreements with his friends in the country's highest offices, expressing his own views as a Tory Lord and his upcoming book Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad... Rock & Roll Politics is live: York, Mar 17th https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-prime-ministers-reflections-on-leadership-from-harold-wilson-to-rishi-sunak/ Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Follow me on Patreon for early access to episodes and bonus podcast series: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three candidates seek to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland. Why do none of them seem ready for the epic challenges of the role, while Sturgeon was so dominant? Plus, questions on Sue Gray, the DUP and the Northern Ireland Protocol and the state of Labour under Keir Starmer. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham Mar 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Don't forget to send in your questions to steveric14@icloud.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I’m in conversation with the chair of Compass, Neal Lawson, who argues the current challenges facing the UK are incomparably different to 1997 — and demand more daring solutions from Keir Starmer. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In last week’s podcast, the Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, outlined her plans for childcare. But how will they be paid for? Do Labour dare to give details in advance of an election? Will such details help Labour win — or will they become a vote losing ‘tax bombshell’? Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham Mar 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle Apr 1 https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, joins me this week to discuss her plans for childcare, the ending of tuition fees, new roles for schools and the mood of Sunderland voters that supported the Conservatives in 2019. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham March 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle April https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rishi Sunak seeks a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol, but faces familiar obstacles in the form of rebels in his own party and the DUP. Plus, Keir Starmer's barring of Jeremy Corbyn from standing for Labour in next year's general election — and the future of Scottish independence after Nicola Sturgeon. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham March 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle April https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The current Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, is in the news most days of the week. Lord Robin Butler, who served under Thatcher, Major and Blair, joins me this week to reflect on his time in the Cabinet Office, comparing parliamentary dramas then and now... Plus, reflections on NIcola Sturgeon's shock resignation, and the consequences likely to stem from it... Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham March 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle April https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The BBC chair Richard Sharp has lost authority whether he stays or goes. Where does that leave his search for ‘impartiality’? Plus brilliant questions on Brexit, Andy Burnham and much more.. Back the podcast on Patreon for bonus content, early editions and more. Current series of Patreon exclusives is The Troublemakers. Episode 2: Enoch Powell: https://www.patreon.com/posts/subscriber-ep-2-78365294 Rock & Roll Politics is live at Birmingham March 21 https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ King's Place London Mar 23 https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast Black Box, Hill Street Mar 26 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Ropetackle Shoreham March 29 https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Witham Barnard Castle April https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Old Market Theatre Brighton April 24 https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Podmasters series preview: How much do we really know about the people who make the headlines? In a provocative new series the acclaimed journalist Michael Crick, formerly of BBC, C4 and Newsnight, delves into the backgrounds of the powerful and the influential. In this first episode: Few newspaper editors wield as much power as the Daily Mail’s Paul Dacre. Feared and courted by politicians, he’s imposed his singular vision of Britain on successive governments – while sometimes stretching the law in pursuit of justice. But what makes Dacre tick? What does he want? And how might this epic career end? Like this excerpt? Hear the complete episode on all platforms right now here. And subscribe for new episodes every Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In my conversation with Andy Burnham, we discuss whether he had more power as a cabinet minister, or now as Mayor of Greater Manchester, his policies since becoming mayor, whether he has become more radical... and the similarities - or lack of them - with the build up to Labour's victory in 1997. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham, March 21st: https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ London, March 23rd: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast, March 26th: https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Shoreham, March 29th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Barnard Castle, April 1st: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Brighton, April 24th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Subscribe to Patreon for this month's bonus show, Episode 2 of "The Troublemakers" on Enoch Powell, and much more here: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Truss's comeback was delusional in its lofty grandeur, yet also very narrow. Why did she choose outlets with limited audiences? The answer tells us much about the modern Conservative Party. Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham, March 21st: https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ London, March 23rd: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast, March 26th: https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Shoreham, March 29th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Barnard Castle, April 1st: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Brighton, April 24th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Subscribe to Patreon for this month's bonus show, Episode 2 of "The Changemakers" on Enoch Powell, and much more here: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I speak to the the transport expert and host of the Calling All Stations podcast, Christian Wolmar, about the state of the railways, the all-important context going back to British Rail, and his hopes and fears for the future. https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Rock & Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21st: https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ London, March 23th Kings Place https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast, March 26th, Black Box https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Shoreham, March 29th, Ropetackle https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Barnard Castle, April 1st, Witham https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Brighton, April 24th, The Old Market Theatre https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Send your questions to steveric14@icloud.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are deep reasons for the crises erupting around Rishi Sunak, but there is also an immediate one — Boris Johnson. https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Rock N Roll Politics is live: Birmingham March 21st: https://1000trades.org.uk/events/ London, March 23th Kings Place https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ Belfast, March 26th, Black Box https://imaginebelfast.com/events/steve-richards-the-rocknroll-politics-show/ Shoreham, March 29th, Ropetackle https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ Barnard Castle, April 1st, Witham https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ Brighton, April 24th, The Old Market Theatre https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Send your questions to steveric14@icloud.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Timothy, Theresa May's joint chief of staff during her first phase in Number 10, remains a strong believer in the "good that government can do.” He still sees support for a more active state as the most fruitful route for his party, despite the state-shrinking campaigns of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Does his view have much support amongst Tory MPs, and was Theresa May ever fully committed to his approach? Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on March 23rd: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ The Ropetackle, Shoreham on March 29th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ The Witham, Barnard Castle April 1st: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ The Old Market Theatre, Brighton April 24th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the run up to the 1997 election, the Conservative government was falling apart over 'sleaze' and rows over Europe. Nearly three decades later, we're back there again. How did it come to this? Plus brilliant questions on my interview with Lisa Nandy, levelling up and much more... Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on March 23rd: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-richards-presents-rock-n-roll-politics-2/ The Ropetackle, Shoreham on March 29th: https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics/ The Witham, Barnard Castle April 1st: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/steve-richards-rock-and-roll-politics-2/ The Old Market Theatre, Brighton April 24th: https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/steve-richards-rock-n-roll-politics-2023 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time the podcast is twice-weekly. We’re joined by shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy to explore how a Labour government would give back control to local communities. Back us on Patreon to get all our podcasts early, bonus editions and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live are available now. Come and see Steve at… Kings Place, London – live and streaming online on Thur 21 March The Ropetackle, Shoreham – Wed 29 March The Witham, Barnard Castle – Sat 1 April The Old Market Theatre, Brighton – Monday 24 Apr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It looks as if agreement can be reached on the Northern Ireland Protocol. But will Rishi Sunak's hardline Brexiteers back a deal? And how does Nicola Sturgeon find a route to independence? Plus brilliant questions and a big announcement. Back the podcast on Patreon for bonus podcasts and much more: https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics Tickets for Rock & Roll Politics Live are available now. Come and see Steve at… Kings Place, London – live and streaming online on Thur 21 March The Ropetackle, Shoreham – Wed 29 March The Witham, Barnard Castle – Sat 1 April The Old Market Theatre, Brighton (well, Hove actually) – Monday 24 Apr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices