Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Should Reform be allowed to spend the crypto-billionaires’ money?

Sep 15, 2026 · 44m

Summary

Steve Richards examines the impact of massive crypto-billionaire donations on UK politics, arguing that money matters more now than in the past and urging the government to legislate against such funding. The episode features a French correspondent analyzing internal divisions within Jordan Bardella’s party ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Listeners also share book recommendations on 1970s and 80s politics, while contributors debate Ed Miliband’s effective framing of sanctions against the Netanyahu government and the complexities of defense spending.

Topics discussed

Sponsors: Total Human and ShipStation Sponsor: ZocDoc and episode introduction Show overview and subscription promotion The changing role of media in British politics Media influence, social media, and election dynamics Reform UK funding and the impact of money in politics Reform UK's pitch and crypto billionaire donations Legislation on party funding and historical comparisons Constitutional reform and the value of political money Sponsors: Total Human, ShipStation, and ZocDoc Welfare reform and defense spending tensions French correspondent: Bardella and Reform UK alliance Book recommendations: Healey, Foot, and Hattersley Upcoming live show and Labor conference preview Defense spending targets and NATO accountability Sponsors: Total Human and ZocDoc Ed Miliband's statement on Israel and Gaza Scottish politics and the term 'The North' Cross-party support for sanctions on Israel Electoral reform and the Single Transferable Vote Listener interactions and BBC history Thatcher era economics and Norway comparison Media pressure and closing remarks Sponsors: Total Human and ShipStation Sponsor: QVC
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