The answer to this question is hugely significant. Look back and mid-term Prime Ministers fall out badly with their chosen Chancellor - too often Labour Prime Ministers seek to reassure the media and the markets with their choice, only for both to turn on the Chancellor that is supposed to bring ‘stability’.

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

• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20

Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.

An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

I revisit an interview I did with Andy Burnham before the general election, when there was no leadership speculation as Keir Starmer was so obviously heading for victory.

We explore where power lies, where power should lie, where he feels he has always stood on the political spectrum, why this is a different landscape to 1997 and much more. It gives a sense of what his priorities are likely to be as he heads towards Number 10.

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

• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20

Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.

An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election by a triumphant margin. What does that mean for the government, and for Reform?

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

• Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/steve20

Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.

An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

Keir Starmer navigated around a reluctant Treasury and dissenting minsters to find a further significant increase in defence spending. It was not enough for John Healey and the mighty defence establishment, but where precisely would they find even more money? And would it be spent well?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at Kings Place on the 13th of July to make sense of the fallout arising from this week’s historic by-election. Tickets are available on the Kings Place website here.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle, Shoreham on the 1st of July. Tickets are available here.

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and 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 instinctively loyal John Healey has resigned over the level of defence spending about to be announced - what will be the impact on Keir Starmer’s fragile leadership? And how will resources be found to pay for defence and other creaking public services?

Plus, we are in an era of multi-party politics, and the new battles between parties are already having a big impact on elections and by-elections. But how big are the differences between the parties on the right,and indeed those on the left?

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

Subscribe to Patreon here for bonus episodes, live events and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.

And an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th. Get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

The Reform candidate in the historic Makerfield by- election has struggled to answer obvious questions about policy and his own social media comments. In today’s dangerous anti-politics mood could this be an advantage for him?

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

Subscribe to Patreon here for exclusive extra content and bonus episodes, plus the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Dates for the diary: Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday July 1st. Tickets on the Ropetackle website.

An extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

This week Nigel Farage has chosen to fuel ‘hatred’ in relation to a horrific murder, seeking to politicise crudely and obviously. Has he been too crude and obvious? Is the fracturing on the right an opportunity for the government, or is it triggering a dangerous debate framed by the far right?

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

Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here.

You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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

Tony Blair’s essay has triggered detailed responses from Keir Starmer, potential successors and others within the government. Is this a healthy development for a party that seemed fearful of internal debate. or the start of a fatal divide?

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

Patreon subscribers can join Steve for an exclusive live stream on Monday June 8th at 7pm. Book your spot here.

You can subscribe to Patreon here for the June livestream and more, including bonus episodes and the regular podcast a day early and ad-free.

Another date for the diary - an extra Rock & Roll Politics Special is live at Kings Place in London on Monday July 13th - added in light of dramas that will follow the Makerfield by- election. Get your tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

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