Is Britain trapped by the "special relationship"?

Is Britain trapped by the "special relationship"?

Author: Steve Richards March 10, 2026 Duration: 43:40

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.


Each week, broadcaster and author Steve Richards draws from his acclaimed live performance to create Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards. This isn't a dry recitation of headlines, but a guided tour into the often-overlooked mechanics of British political life. Steve focuses on the interplay between power and perception, examining how the media narrative is constructed and how it, in turn, shapes our understanding of the unfolding drama at Westminster and beyond. The conversation in this podcast acknowledges a central paradox of our times: while historical events can seem deceptively simple in hindsight, the present moment feels wildly uncertain. Steve acts as a seasoned guide through that uncertainty, offering clarity without oversimplification. You'll hear analysis that connects cultural currents to political decisions, exploring the personalities, strategies, and occasional chaos that define the UK's political landscape. Tune in for a thoughtful, weekly perspective that makes sense of the seismic shifts in society and government, all delivered with the insight of someone who has spent a career observing the stage from both the wings and the front row.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
Podcast Episodes
Rachel Reeves - and consequences [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:50
In spite of the bleak financial inheritance, Rachel Reeves should have some space with a landslide Commons for radical reforms in her budget. Did she partly choose to be trapped, without thinking through the consequences…
Is Starmer the biggest victim of the 'toxic culture'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
There's universal consensus that the briefings from Number 10, warning of a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting and the conduct of "feral" Labour MPs, have rebounded badly on Starmer and those involved. Yet the brief…
Why is the BBC so scared of the right wing media? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
Tim Davie, Deborah Turness and other senior BBC managers have gone out of their way to please the right, from the treatment of Gary Linker to the selection of political panels where there is often an imbalance that favou…
What do Labour's 'soft left' want? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:35
Labour's so-called 'soft left' is becoming more muscular and vocal, but what binds this part of the party and how does it want this government to change? Plus, can Rachel Reeves make voters recognise the connection betwe…
Does Nigel Farage have a credible economic policy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:40
Nigel Farage has torn up Reform's 2024 manifesto, pledging big spending cuts and promising tax cuts. Whether on the right or left, has he framed a distinct and credible argument about the economy? Also, is the Royal Fami…
What will happen if Rachel Reeves breaks a manifesto pledge on tax? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
Keir Starmer refused to rule out breaking pre-election tax commitments at Prime Minister's Questions, suggesting that he and Rachel Reeves are contemplating doing so. Can they get away with it? Or will it be the cause of…