writer, podcaster,
communicator, strategist

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173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really s... Continue

495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time)

*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners* What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about the state of democracy and truth in the Trump era? I... Continue

494. Carney’s Trump Fightback and the Starmer-Burnham Fallout

Can the 'middle powers' escape Trump's grip and build a world beyond American and Chinese dominance? What is the 'Board of Peace' and why is Trump its chairman for life? Is Starmer’s ‘control-frea... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Heckling Trump in Davos

The Orange Man Boy’s speech was so full of lies that I had to do something. But as a former US vice president told me, it’s probably not the best way to deal with him... Continue

172. Neil Kinnock: Trump, Thatcher, and Why Labour Lost In 1992 (Part 2)

Why did Neil Kinnock believe the fight against Margaret Thatcher was an existential one? What would Kinnock do to tackle the threat posed to Labour by reform? Why did Labour lose the 1992 election? A... Continue

What If the AI Revolution Isn’t Real?

Is AI a revolution, or just another slow-moving general technology? Are we mistaking hype for inevitability? And, can a technology this unreliable really reshape civilisation? Rory Stewart and Matt C... Continue

493. Trump Insults NATO Troops

Why has Trump chosen to denigrate the sacrifice of allied soldiers? Are Keir Starmer and other NATO leaders finally reaching a breaking point with the US President? And what does this mean for the fut... Continue

492. Should Europe Boycott the World Cup? (Question Time)

Could Trump’s continued Greenland threats spark international boycotts of the World Cup? Does Robert Jenrick’s chaotic defection to Reform strengthen or weaken the Conservatives? How stable is the... Continue

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The Rest Is Politics

29 Jan 2026

495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time)

*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners*

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

2 Feb 2026

173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really start the war in Ukraine? 

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.

But What Can I Do?

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.

Winners and how they succeed

Alastair Campbell knows all about winning. As Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist he helped guide the Labour Part…

Living Better

Living Better is Alastair Campbell’s honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an…

The Happy Depressive

In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness

Saturday Bloody Saturday

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

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

Maya Lowe is one of the world’s most beautiful film stars.

All In The Mind: A Novel

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.

My Name Is

She likes a drink. Everyone has a problem.