154. Maro Itoje: Inequality, Identity, and Hope
How do we tackle global poverty and fight for change? What qualities are needed in a leadership role? Is the Labour government delivering on the issue of inequality in the UK? Rory and Alast... Continue
writer, podcaster,
communicator, strategist
Latest
450. Question Time: How Gen Z Took Down the Government
**Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussion of murder-suicide, rape and sexual violence** How did a corruption scandal in Nepal trigger a youth-led political earthquake? Does the UN ... Continue
449. Starmer Loses Control: Will Andy Burnham Challenge the PM?
As Trump arrives in the UK after the Mandelson-Epstein debacle, are Starmer’s days numbered as PM? If he can’t turn things around, who could replace him? Is Elon Musk trying to incite a c... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s diary: Where Starmer went wrong with the Mandelson debacle
Politics is as much about relationships and an understanding of human nature as it is about policy and legislation. The PM must learn this before it’s too late... Continue
153. The Man Who Invented The Internet (Tim Berners-Lee)
Tim Berners-Lee could be one of the richest men on the planet, why did he forfeit such large profits to make the world wide web a free and open space? How do we reclaim the internet from soci... Continue
Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics? Is Trump trying to start a fake war wit...
Continue
447. Is Starmer Sleepwalking Britain into Farage’s Hands?
Has Starmer’s reshuffle shifted Labour to the right, and frozen out the left? Will Farage ultimately lose control of Reform UK? Why has the French government collapsed again? Join Rory and... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s diary: When I unpacked the Putin papers
Today, the west sees Putin as a bloodthirsty dictator hellbent on destroying peace democracy in Europe. 25 years ago, the picture was very different... Continue
The Rest Is Politics
18 Sep 2025
450. Question Time: How Gen Z Took Down the Government**Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussion of murder-suicide, rape and sexual violence**
Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.
Leading
22 Sep 2025
154. Maro Itoje: Inequality, Identity, and HopeHow do we tackle global poverty and fight for change? What qualities are needed in a leadership role? Is the Labour government delivering on the issue of inequality in the UK?
Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world’s biggest names – from both inside and outside of politics – about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.
Books
Little Experts: Why Politics Matters
Packed with fun, facts and challenges – perfect for readers aged 6 to 9.
Alastair Campbell Talks Politics
The empowering intro to politics that every young person needs right now from writer, podcaster and strategist Alastair Campbell.
Alastair Campbell’s diaries 2023
A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable chronicle of our editor-at-large’s year, illustrated by Martin Rowson and Richard Jolley.
The bestselling new book from Alastair Campbell, on why politics has gone so wrong, and how you can help fix it. Part call to arms, part practical handbook, But What Can I Do? will prove required reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.
Alastair Campbell knows all about winning. As Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist he helped guide the Labour Part…
Living Better is Alastair Campbell’s honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an…
In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness
A Game More Serious Than Life or Death
Diaries Volume 8: Rise and Fall of the Olympic Spirit, 2010 – 2015
It’s 2010 and Britain stands at a crossroads. After thirteen years in power, Labour find themselves out in the cold as David Cameron takes office – with a little help from the Liberal Democrats.
Diaries Volume 7: From Crash to Defeat, 2007 – 2010
Caught in the no man’s land between being a key figure in Downing Street and the relative anonymity of the world outside politics, Alastair Campbell finds himself being torn in several directions.
Diaries Volume 6: From Blair to Brown, 2005 – 2007
After helping Tony Blair to secure a historic third term in office, Alastair Campbell might have hoped to make good his long-planned escape from Downing Street. Blair, and Gordon Brown, had other ideas.
Diaries Volume 5: Outside, Inside, 2003 – 2005
This eagerly anticipated volume picks up where its predecessor left off, with Campbell standing down as Tony Blair’s director of communications in 2003.
Diaries Volume 4: The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq
The Burden of Power is the fourth volume of Alastair Campbell’s diaries, and perhaps the most eagerly awaited given the ground it covers.
Diaries Volume 3: Power & Responsibility
It begins amid conflict in Kosovo, and ends on September 11, 2001, a day which immediately wrote itself into the history books, changing the course of both the Bush presidency and the Blair premiership.
Diaries Volume 2: Power and the People 1997 – 1999
Power and the People is the second of four volumes, and covers the first two years of New Labour government, beginning with their landslide victory at the polls in 1997.
Diaries Volume 1: Prelude to Power
Volume 1 details the extraordinary tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they resolved the question as to which one should stand to become Labour leader.
The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from….
The Irish Diaries (1994 – 2003)
This newly edited one-volume edition focuses on one of the Blair government’s biggest successes, the Northern Ireland peace process.
Maya Lowe is one of the world’s most beautiful film stars.
Emily is a traumatised burns victim, Arta a Kosovan refugee recovering from a rape. David Temple is a longterm depressive, while the Rt Hon Ralph Hall MP lives in terror of his drink problem being exposed.
She likes a drink. Everyone has a problem.