556. The US-China AI Arms Race and Badenoch vs. Rory’s Centrism
Is China quietly outsmarting the US in the AI arms race, and is Trump laying the pitch to challenge the results of the US midterms with his repeated, unfounded claims of Chinese election meddling? Why... Continue
writer, podcaster,
communicator, strategist
Latest
Alastair Campbell’s diary: My night with the homeless showed me that Burnham must end rough sleeping
The new PM must be radical – including on Britain’s place in Europe... Continue
555. Burnham’s Cabinet Purge and Rough Sleeping Pledge: Will He Succeed?
What does Andy Burnham’s purge of Starmer loyalists from the top of government tell us about how the new British prime minister will govern the UK? Why did Ed Miliband drop his ten-year Energy Secur... Continue
198. How Trump’s Imperial Presidency Really Works
How does the most chaotic White House in history actually make decisions? How did Netanyahu sell Trump on a regime change war in Iran? Who is the only world leader Trump is truly afraid of? Alastair... Continue
196. How America Talks Itself Into Endless Wars
What does the gap between American foreign policy rhetoric and reality reveal about the failures of its military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Iran? In an age of algorithm-driven poli... Continue
550. Will Farage’s Extreme Wealth Be His Downfall?
How has Farage become the highest earning MP, while still claiming to be “for the everyday Briton”? Has Farage become part of the establishment? And how much more is there to discover about Farage... Continue
549. Mamdani’s Wrecking Ball and the Rise of Anti-Migrant Vigilantes
Is Zohran Mamdani becoming much more than a mayor and effectively running a shadow presidential campaign through the candidates he's backing? How significant is Australia’s new centrist party and co... Continue
548. Burnham vs. Westminster and Trump’s Next Target
Will Andy Burnham’s plan for a ‘Number 10 North’ actually work in practice? What does Rory make of Burnham’s growth strategy? Who is Donald Trump’s next target in Latin America? Join Rory an... ContinueThe Rest Is Politics
23 Jul 2026
556. The US-China AI Arms Race and Badenoch vs. Rory’s CentrismIs China quietly outsmarting the US in the AI arms race, and is Trump laying the pitch to challenge the results of the US midterms with his repeated, unfounded claims of Chinese election meddling? Why has Zelenskyy sacked his popular defence minister just as Ukraine is winning on the battlefield? Does Kemi Badenoch’s purge of Rory-adjacent centrists from the Conservative Party show she is even more ruthless than Margaret Thatcher?
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
20 Jul 2026
198. How Trump’s Imperial Presidency Really WorksHow does the most chaotic White House in history actually make decisions? How did Netanyahu sell Trump on a regime change war in Iran? Who is the only world leader Trump is truly afraid of?
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.