Best Steve Prentice Podcasts (2026)

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The Defectors Part 1: A Festive Series - Reg Prentice (Labour to Tories) 36:57

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11d ago36:57

36:57

Reg Prentice was a Labour cabinet minister after the 1974 elections, but was threatened with deselection by his local Labour party for being on the right. There were rowdy meetings as Prentice’s cabinet allies spoke in his defence and by the time of the 1979 election Prentice had defected to Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative party. • The first show …

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The Defectors Part 3: A Festive Series - Carswell and Reckless (Tory to UKIP) 40:19

3d ago40:19

40:19

David Cameron had promised a Brexit referendum, and to renegotiate Britain’s EU membership. In a sign of what was to follow, it was not enough for two Tory MPs… • The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad …

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The Defectors Part 2: A Festive Series - Shaun Woodward (Tories to Labour) 32:07

6d ago32:07

32:07

Shaun Woodward was one of the masterminds behind the Conservatives 1992 election victory and subsequently he became a Tory MP. Soon after Labour’s 1997 landslide he changed sides, and ultimately became a Labour cabinet minister. • The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. …

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What have we learnt at the end of 2025? 51:03

12d ago51:03

51:03

We know more than we think we know … Sometimes what is in front of our eyes is more interesting than speculating about a hazy future. Here is what we know now about Keir Starmer’s fragility and the even more precarious international crisis. • Tickets for my next live show on the 11th of February are available now! Get them here. • My biography of T…

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Why does a 'narrative' matter so much? 55:37

16d ago55:37

55:37

Keir Starmer has endured a rough opening 18 months, but so did Tony Blair in quite similar ways. So why was Blair miles ahead in the polls in his early phase in power? And why is Starmer breaking all records for low ratings? The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are the perfect Christmas …

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Rock & Roll Politics Live - How fragile is Keir Starmer? 1:33:41

19d ago1:33:41

1:33:41

Here’s the last live show of the year, recorded in the main concert hall at Kings Place. There’s a dramatic answer to the question, will Keir Starmer be prime minister this time next year? Plus, making sense of Nigel Farage, Zack Polanski, Jeremy Corbyn and much more… Dream Christmas presents... • Tickets for my next live show on the 11th of Februa…

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What next as Trump turns away from Europe? 40:01

23d ago40:01

40:01

Trump’s National Security Strategy is scathing about Europe, and in interviews he intensified his attack on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Where does this leave Britain’s place in the world? Out of the EU and no longer able to claim there’s a reliable ally in the White House, even if that claim was always partly delusional... Plus, what chance of…

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Brexit- is this the beginning of the end? 44:43

26d ago44:43

44:43

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have started to become more critical of the ‘Brexit Deal’. David Lammy highlights the benefits of a customs union. The Brexit minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, is promoted. But does this mean a cautious government is moving towards the customs union, and when would it make such a move? Looking for the ideal Christmas pre…

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Why are newspapers still powerful? 44:07

1M ago44:07

44:07

Few buy newspapers and not many read them. So why do they shape the political agenda, not least in determining how the current government is perceived? Rock & Roll Politics -The Xmas Special is live at Kings Place on Dec 8th.. Get your tickets for Kings Place or the live-stream of the event here. Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts…

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Could The Conservatives Recover? 40:31

1M ago40:31

40:31

The fickle media and Conservative MPs are hailing Kemi Badenoch’s recent performances, making her more secure in her role as leader. The Tories are still dominant in the media, so could they - not Reform - emerge as the main alternative at the next election? Plus the furore over Rachel Reeves and the OBR, and why is it shocking for a Labour governm…

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Has Rachel Reeves calmed the mood of restive Labour MPs… and disillusioned voters? 35:45

1M ago35:45

35:45

After a thousand leaks, speeches and u-turns, Rachel Reeves has delivered her budget. As predicted there were a range of tax rises and some significant spending increases, not least on welfare. For all the feverish coverage, how much does the budget really change? Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8th of Dec…

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Rachel Reeves - and consequences 50:05

1M ago50:05

50:05

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? Plus brilliant questions on how Britain is governed in relation to Covid Inquiry and Shabana Mahmood’s plans for asylum seekers.…

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Nick Thomas-Symonds on Labour prime ministers, leadership threats and Europe 40:36

1M ago40:36

40:36

The Cabinet Office Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has written several political biographies. The most recent was on Harold Wilson. What are the differences between being in power now compared with previous Labour governments? How did Wilson deal with leadership threats of the type Keir Starmer faces now? He’s also responsible for the Brexit ’reset’…

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Will Mahmood’s asylum policies stop the boats… and the rise of Reform? 50:40

2M ago50:40

50:40

Within weeks of becoming Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood has announced a set of wide-ranging policies aimed at deterring illegal asylum seekers. Will they work practically and politically? Plus, has Rachel Reeves got a coherent vision for the economy? How to define the soft left? And are there too many political journalists? Rock & Roll Politics - …

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Is Starmer the biggest victim of the 'toxic culture'? 56:39

2M ago56:39

56:39

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 briefings against key Labour figures are part of a pattern under Keir Starmer's leadership… even if he is the biggest victim of these o…

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Why is the BBC so scared of the right wing media? 48:44

2M ago48:44

48:44

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 favours the right. Ironically and predictably the right wing newspapers have shown yet again their bullying muscularity by triggering t…

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What do Labour's 'soft left' want? 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

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 between higher taxes and better public services? A key rule for governments: "Make the connections". Rock & Roll Politics - The Christm…

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Does Nigel Farage have a credible economic policy? 44:55

2M ago44:55

44:55

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 Family doomed in modern Britain? Plus brilliant questions and a range of notices for the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative. Rock & Rol…

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What will happen if Rachel Reeves breaks a manifesto pledge on tax? 50:12

2M ago50:12

50:12

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 their fall? Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8th of December. Tickets are available now…

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Is the strange silence over Farage and Johnson's Brexit about to be broken? 47:46

2M ago47:46

47:46

Finally, Rachel Reeves cites the Brexit deal as one reason why the economy is failing and why she will have to raise taxes in the budget. But is it too little, too late? Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8th of December. Tickets are available now at the Kings Place website here. Subscribe to Patreon to take …

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Should transport be a top priority for Starmer? – in conversation with Christian Wolmar 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

With the nationalisation of the railways, the need for economic growth, climate change and a focus on addressing regional inequalities, transport should be at the top of the government’s priorities. But is it? I’m joined by transport guru, author and podcaster, Christian Wolmar, to discuss why Transport is often overlooked by prime ministers and ch…

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Deepfakes, Deadlines, and Distraction: The Art of Staying Aware 14:03

3M ago14:03

14:03

How staying in the moment will save you online and off. Most people live in reaction mode, constantly responding to emails, pings, and pop-ups. But every reaction costs attention and control. Just like a traveler who touches their wallet after seeing a “Beware of pickpockets” sign, we reveal too much when we react unconsciously. Unfortunately, proa…

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What does the Maccabi Tel Aviv football ban tell us about who runs Britain? 47:36

3M ago47:36

47:36

Most of the time the right-wing media scream that government should not interfere with the police. But when the police make a decision the media disapproves of, it screams the opposite. In doing so this tells us much about the blurred lines of responsibility and the confusion about the role of the state – that partly explains why 'nothing works' re…

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What would you do if you were Rachel Reeves? 56:18

3M ago56:18

56:18

In a recording of a recent Rock & Roll Politics live show, the audience became Rachel Reeves… and I became Emma Barnett interviewing some of them. There were many ideas for the real Chancellor in advance of next month’s budget and some mighty dilemmas explored. Here it is! Rock &Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8t…

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Why is Labour's deputy leadership contest more significant than it seems? 45:35

3M ago45:35

45:35

The post of deputy leader is ill-defined at best. Yet delving deep, and going back to contests in the 1970s, shows they change the course of Labour's history. The current one will also make waves when the result is declared. Plus Donald Trump.. the peacemaker. Subscribe to Patreon for bonus podcasts, the main podcast a day early and ad free… plus s…

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Are the Conservatives doomed? 40:25

3M ago40:25

40:25

By Steve Richards

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Can Starmer beat Farage? 50:38

3M ago50:38

50:38

The Labour Party conference is in a febrile mood – there's much talk of leadership, and also of Farage. Can Starmer bring together those horrified by a Reform government? Or is he too unpopular, not least with those on the left? Please subscribe to Patreon for bonus podcasts, the main podcast a day early and ad free… plus special exclusive live eve…

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Are the Liberal Democrats a centre-left party? 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

Who are the Liberal Democrats? The coalition years exposed a deep split between social democrats and free market liberals. Are those divisions healed? Is Ed Davey right to party play for laughs? Is he making the correct pitch in the current multi-party mayhem? Tickets for Thursday's epic live show in the main concert hall at Kings Place are availab…

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What are the lessons of the Mandelson saga? 45:15

4M ago45:15

45:15

Predictably, Peter Mandelson's return to the centre of the political stage has ended in crisis. Mandelson's influence on Keir Starmer grew after Labour lost the Hartlepool by-election in the early days of Starmer's leadership. The fashionable narrative is that Starmer changed his strategy for the better after Hartlepool, but is that when the seeds …

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Will Keir Starmer's changes revive Labour? 51:11

4M ago51:11

51:11

Keir Starmer has kept more or less the same Cabinet but given most of them new jobs. Will it work as Reform UK soars in the polls? Rock & Roll Politics is live in the main concert hall at Kings Place on Thursday September 25th at the end of the Labour Party Conference week! Tickets available here. https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/steve-r…

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Will Starmer's reset make a difference? 51:35

4M ago51:35

51:35

With Labour languishing in the polls, Keir Starmer has reshuffled his top team… yet again. His leadership has been punctuated by changes in senior personnel, so does that tell us more about him or them? My book on Tony Blair is published next Thursday. You can pre-order it here. Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on Thursday September 25th…

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Rock & Roll Politics Live at the Edinburgh Festival 1:02:45

4M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Here’s a recording of the final show at this year’s festival, where there was a different show every day. The final one looked ahead via four political figures, but many other themes and characters were explored over the fourteen shows. It was great seeing so many of the co-operative in Edinburgh! Subscribe to Patreon⁠ for bonus podcasts, the main …

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A World Where Work Can Start Without You 21:22

4M ago21:22

21:22

A World Where Work Can Start Without You - How Agentic-AI will impact your work In a world where work can start without you, what happens to your role, your career, and your sense of control? This episode explores the rise of Agentic AI: a new generation of artificial intelligence that doesn’t just respond to prompts, but anticipates goals, plans m…

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What's been happening at the Edinburgh Festival? 29:31

5M ago29:31

29:31

The run of Rock & Roll Politics shows is in full swing, with host Steve Richards delivering a different show each day. Here's an update for the co-operative on the various themes and the audience predictions, plus questions on the political drama being played out in Wales, and much more. Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival right …

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Is This The Day I Get Fired by AI? 25:32

5M ago25:32

25:32

How to manage your career during an AI revolution Will AI Take Your Job – Or Make You More Valuable? The fear of artificial intelligence replacing human jobs is real, and it's growing. Think of the meme: “AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows AI will,” uncertainty is everywhere. In this episode I tackle the question head-on: should you be a…

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For all the storms, is Labour heading for a second term? 34:35

5M ago34:35

34:35

The Labour government has endured a traumatic first year on many fronts, but its opponents are in different ways extremely vulnerable. If its opponents cannot win next time Labour will secure a second term, yet the mood music suggests a government in near fatal trouble... Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinburgh Festival with a different show …

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Is Labour Delivering on Transport? 39:50

5M ago39:50

39:50

In a Question Time Special the Rock N Roll Politics co-operative reflects on the 'pause' of some rail electrification schemes, the degree to which the UK's independent nuclear deterrent is not independent, and what's wrong with digital ID cards? RocknRoll Politics is live at the Edinburgh festival from this Sunday August 10th, with a different show…

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Forget trust. Dismiss instinct. Gap it instead. 18:12

5M ago18:12

18:12

In the latest episode of the CoolTimeLife podcast, I present a crucial message for anyone navigating today’s high-risk digital world – not just yourself and co-workers, but your family too:: Don’t trust. GAP IT instead. With phishing attacks, social engineering scams, and emotional manipulation on the rise, your best defense isn’t a new antivirus s…

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What does Britain get from 'The Special Relationship' with the US? 50:10

5M ago50:10

50:10

Keir Starmer drops everything to meet Trump on the President's golfing holiday, but to what end? Post-war Prime Ministers, with two exceptions, assume Britain has a special relationship with the US, only to discover that the US has different views... Some context (our favourite word) for the co-operative! Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Edinbur…

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Water Privatisation - why is Margaret Thatcher still deified? 47:55

6M ago47:55

47:55

The rushed water privatisation after the 1987 election was one of several calamitous policies launched by Margaret Thatcher –with the consequences still being played out today. Yet Tory leaders, potential leaders, and even their Labour counterparts still pay homage to Thatcher. Why? RocknRoll Politics is live at the Edinburgh festival from Sunday A…

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Life as a Night Owl - The challenges and bright future for those wired for the night 13:16

6M ago13:16

13:16

Night owls have always had it tougher in a workday designed by and made for “morning people.” So why are some people aligned to a later body clock and what does the new normal hold for them? It’s good news. A full listing and descriptions of our episodes is available at https://cooltimelife.com. If you're interested in supporting the CoolTimeLife p…

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Can the government find a more effective media strategy? 1:01:32

6M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

Number 10’s media strategy is fairly old-fashioned: the morning round for the broadcasters, interviews with the TV political editors and placing articles in right wing newspapers. Does any of this do them any good? And if not, what should they do instead? And this is partly an excuse to look at the wild media landscape! Rock & Roll Politics is live…

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Mastering Meetings - How the 55-Minute Rule Can Revolutionize Your Workday 13:27

6M ago13:27

13:27

Meetings, whether in person or online, are notorious as time wasters, often plagued by late starts, irrelevant discussions, and a lack of clear outcomes. There’s a better way, which I call the 55-Minute Meeting. This approach offers practical solutions to reclaim productivity, minimize stress, and maximize the effectiveness of meetings, by connecti…

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How deep a hole is Keir Starmer in? 55:27

6M ago55:27

55:27

Normally media frenzies exaggerate the scale of a government crisis - a distorting frenzy that feeds on itself. But this time, has it played down the significance of recent days? Rock & Roll Politics - The End of the Political Year Special is live at Kings Place on July 17th. Tickets here. Subscribe to Patreon for bonus podcasts, the main podcast a…

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Can Keir Starmer learn the lessons from the welfare shambles? 51:05

6M ago51:05

51:05

Labour MPs flex their muscles, the government concedes, welfare reform is still in chaos and taxes will have to rise to pay for concessions. How has a landslide government landed on such rocky terrain just a year after its historic election victory? Rock & Roll Politics - The End of the Political Year Special is live at Kings Place on July 17th. Ti…

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Trump strikes Iran – What will be the consequences? 53:56

6M ago53:56

53:56

Not for the first time, a US military intervention triggers greater instability and many questions about what follows. It’s time for the co-operative to delve deep into the context and consequences! To join our exclusive live Patreon event on Thursday, and also get bonus podcasts and the main podcasts a day early and ad free, subscribe to Patreon h…

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How does a government communicate to disillusioned voters? 59:23

7M ago59:23

59:23

Rachel Reeves’ spending review was a mixed bag, with some impossibly tight spending settlements combined with significant investment. But will voters make the connections between decisions at Westminster and their own lives, especially when conveyed through a hostile media? • Rock & Roll Politics - The End of the Political Year Special is live at K…

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What does Sarah Vine’s book tell us about the crisis in the Conservative Party? 54:10

7M ago54:10

54:10

Sarah Vine, the journalist and former wife of Michael Gove, has written a book that partly chronicles their lives in the court of David Cameron and the Notting Hill Conservatives. In doing so she is the latest insider chronicler to shine light on the shallowness of the Cameron project, with dark consequences for the Conservative party and the count…

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What is the key ingredient that makes a leader stronger? 53:40

7M ago53:40

53:40

Keir Starmer is an evasive leader but on one point he is clear: he is a pragmatist, has no time for ideology and there will be no ‘Starmerism’. But without strong ideological convictions can a leader flourish? Plus, brilliant questions from the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative. Rock & Roll Politics is live in the main concert hall at Kings Place o…

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Are there dark echoes from a distant Labour government? 50:22

7M ago50:22

50:22

While researching the 1929 Labour government for a new book I found myself thinking repeatedly “this reminds me of now”. The yearning to follow economic orthodoxies of the past, the desire to be agents of ‘change’ while being fearful of change etc… and then I came across a Tony Blair interview from the 2001 election. This week, we look at the many …