The BBC has a new director general, but is he or his army of senior managers - conveniently detached from direct responsibility for the output - capable of answering a key question: What is the role of a publicly-funded broadcaster in the modern era?

Plus, brilliant questions on GB News, the energy crisis and the government’s economic policy - is there a hidden agenda?

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th 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.

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

Recorded live at the York Literary Festival, host Steve Richards is joined by the former cabinet minister Alan Johnson to discuss three Labour Prime Ministers that have all won landslide election victories. But do they have much else in common? Listen now for a deep dive on Harold Wilson, Tony Blair and Keir Starmer.

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th 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.

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

The emails from the co-operative have been flying - so this podcast concentrates solely on the brilliant, illuminating never-ending debate. Today, a focus on the energy crisis, the media, Iran, and the continuing mysteries of Harold Wilson.

Join the never-ending debate - send your emails to steveric14@icloud.com

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th 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.

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

The Observer columnist Philip Collins argues that the future lies on the “centre ground” which he defines as spanning the Cameron government to Blairite Labour. But at a time when voters are impatient for sweeping change, is that outdated, misleading definition a guide for any party or leader/potential leader? And why does a more precise topical definition matter? Plus your thoughts on Michael Gove and Ed Milliband… and of course Iran.

To join the never ending debate in the RocknRoll Politics podcast email steveric14@icloud.com

Get tickets here for the York Book Festival with Steve Richards and Alan Johnson on Tuesday Mar 26th.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics: The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th 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.

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

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

With the departure of Morgan McSweeney, the right in the media and well beyond detect that Ed Miliband has become the unofficial prime minister.

The Spectator editor Michael Gove has written an article on this theme, and is by no means alone. Apparently some of those making the same point used to work for Keir Starmer. But do Gove’s arguments make much sense? Time again to forensically examine a single article.

Get tickets here for the York Book Festival with Steve Richards and Alan Johnson on Tuesday March 24th.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th 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.

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

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

Energy prices soar and the British government watches on helplessly. If it were not energy costs, it might have been some other sector causing mayhem outside a single government’s control. Which is why prime ministers and chancellors are being too clunky when promising to address the cost of living, even if - understandably - it tops the list of voters’ concerns.

Get tickets here for the York Book Festival with Steve Richards and Alan Johnson on Tuesday Mar 26th.

Rock & Roll Politics is at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special, at Kings Place on Monday May 11th 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.

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

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

The release of the Mandelson documents shows the degree to which his appointment was a huge risk. Why did the lawyerly, cautious Starmer overrule the warnings and press ahead despite all the consequences?

• Please join the co-operative’s never ending debate: steveric14@icloud.com

• Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on May 11th in the aftermath of the dramatic elections.

• Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

• Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, plus bonus podcasts and exclusive live events.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

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

Leaks from a national security council meeting suggest cabinet ministers challenged the assumption that Trump should have the automatic right to access British military bases. The grown up discussion was portrayed by some newspapers as a sign of weakness, which says more about those newspapers than Starmer and his ministers. Isn’t the Iran crisis showing that the ‘special relationship’ is largely a humiliating one for Britain and needs to be challenged more fundamentally once the current crisis is in some way resolved? If resolution is possible…

To join the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative email steveric14@icloud.com.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on May 11 for post election special.

Subscribe to Patreon to support the podcast and join the co-operative’s elite wing.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

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