Steve Richards Leo Wilkinson

Fee Band


Having covered politics for over 20 years for the BBC, in print and on the live stage, Steve examines events in Westminster with wit and an insider’s knowledge. A presenter of Radio 4’s Week in Westminster, he is also the author of Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership and The Prime Ministers We Never Had. Having also presented TV and radio series profiling British PMs and their achievements he knows them well and argues that they are all more complicated and interesting than their caricatures suggest. His successful Rock N Roll Politics stage show regularly sells out in London and the Edinburgh Fringe, and the accompanying podcast also presents his original take on British politics, its absurdities and dramas with insight and humour.

 


Biography

Steve Richards is an award-winning political commentator and journalist. He’s a regular on TV, radio and in print, as well as on live stages around the country with his Rock N Roll Politics show.

The Independent’s chief political commentator for over ten years, Steve made frequent appearances as a panellist with Andrew Neil on BBC One's Sunday Politics and This Week. He’s presented Radio 4’s Week in Westminster and What The Papers Say, and hosted the station’s political quiz Parliamentary Questions. He has fronted GMTV’s Sunday Programme and BBC2’s Despatch Box, has been a regular on the BBC News Channel’s Head 2 Head, and has written and presented documentaries on Tony Blair, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Ed Miliband

Before joining The Independent, Steve started out in regional journalism and broadcasting followed by five years as a BBC Political Correspondent, and then serving as Political Editor of the New Statesman. As well as The Independent and its Sunday sister, he has also written for the Evening Standard, The Spectator and The Guardian.

In addition to journalism and broadcasting, Steve has authored several books on British and Western politics. Whatever it Takes provides a critical insight into the strange world of the Gordon Brown government, plotting the rise and fall of one of the most complex figures in recent political history. The Rise of the Outsiders: How Mainstream Politics Lost its Way is a timely examination of populism, reviewing how the extremes and fringes of politics gained power and influence around the world. Steve’s third book, The Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May, looks at the leaders that have defined the UK’s position in the modern world – what they achieved, where they failed, and what we can learn from each one. The follow-up book The Prime Ministers We Never Had similarly explores why some of the most important political figures of the past years never became Prime Minister. 

Steve has toured the country with his widely praised one-man Edinburgh Fringe show, Rock N Roll Politics. The show, and its successful podcast incarnation, is a comedic tour around Westminster - the key players and behind-the-scenes events, and serves as an ‘anti-satire’ defence of politics and politicians.

As a columnist and presenter Steve has interviewed all the major political figures in Britain over two decades and many of his interviews have made front-page news stories. He takes a wry but informed look at the nation’s and the world’s leaders, sharing political gossip, revealing the plots and intrigues, and throwing in a few choice impressions along the way.

Videos

After Dinner Speaker Steve Richards JLA Interview

JLA Speakers Breakfast

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JLA Presents

Risk Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 17/09/2024 - 09:00

Speakers Breakfast

Navigating Risk and Chaos – Strategies For Coping With An Uncertain World.

Speakers
Clive Myrie, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Rt Hon Lord Parker of Minsmere, and Robin Niblett

Steve Richards

On Tuesday 17th September we had the pleasure of hearing from a remarkable panel of speakers, who shared their expertise on the challenges of managing Risk in a chaotic world.

The panel featured esteemed speakers, Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton KFSM (Firefigter and Neuroscience researcher), Lord Parker of Minsmere (Andrew Parker, Former Director General of MI5), and Sir Robin Niblett (Former Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House). The event was hosted superbly by Mastermind and BBC News presenter Clive Myrie.

Over the hour, our panellists explored Risk on multiple levels, from global affairs to business environments and personal everyday challenges. They provided valuable insights into how we can better manage and mitigate Risk in today’s unpredictable world.

 

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH
AI Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 30/04/2024 - 09:00:00

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani and Anne-Marie Imafidon

Steve Richards

We were joined at 87 Barts Close by three brilliant speakers on a panel that delved into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence. Over the hour our panellists de-mystified AI, speaking about AI’s immense promise for enhancing our lives, alongside the apprehension it has generated regarding job security, privacy infringement, and ethical considerations.

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH