527. Are American Tech Billionaires Threatening British Democracy?
30 April 2026
Podcast
20 January 2025
As the US retreats from the international stage, who is going to fill the gap? What will the ‘peace processes of the future’ look like? Who has more power, the tech giants or political leaders?
Rory and Alastair are joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN, Tom Fletcher, to answer all these questions and more.
TRIP Plus:
Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.
Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com
Video Editor: Kieron Leslie
Assistant Producer: India Dunkley + Alice Horrell
Social Producer: Jess Kidson
Producer: Nicole Maslen
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Head of Content: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 minute(s) read
Recent Podcasts
527. Are American Tech Billionaires Threatening British Democracy?
Given Palantir’s controversial manifesto – described by some as having “techno-fascist” tendencies – why is the UK Government expanding its work with the company? Why has the Foreign Office ... Continue30 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell’s diary: I went head-to-head with Aleksandar Vučić – and we’re still at war
The Serbian president still blames Nato and New Labour over Kosovo... Continue29 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell’s diary: I went head-to-head with Aleksandar Vučić – and we still don’t agree
The Serbian president still blames Nato and New Labour over Kosovo... Continue29 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
526. Can the King Save the Special Relationship?
Is the so-called ‘special relationship’ between America and Britain already broken, and is it even worth saving? How can the UK and Europe achieve independence from the US on defence, tech and nuc... Continue28 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
186. President Aleksandar Vučić: Russia, China, and How Serbia Could Join the EU
How does President Vučić justify Serbia's geopolitical balancing act between Russia, China, and the European Union? Why does he warn that if the EU further delays enlargement, the United States migh... Continue27 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
525. JD Vance vs. the Pope and the Far-Right Funding Machine (Question Time)
Why do Trump and JD Vance keep arguing with the Pope about theology? Who is funding the British and European far-right? As nationalism grows in Scotland and Wales, did devolution make this inevitable?... Continue23 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
524. Starmer’s Mandelson Mess and the Iranian Nuclear Threat
Did Starmer show a fatal lack of judgement and curiosity about Peter Mandelson’s suitability for public office? How and why did Trump destroy years of successful Iranian nuclear ‘containment’ po... Continue21 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell’s diary: The bizarre truth about my own vetting for No 10
Hours after being grilled by an ex-military man, I ran into him again - in very strange circumstances... Continue21 April 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Thanks. Great interview with the new head of OCHA where I worked for 20 years. Would be great to get some of the UN agency heads on esp in light of Rory’s comment at the end on the complexity of coordination in the humanitarian system. WFP, UNICEF IOM and UNHCR chiefs would all be fascinating esp at a time when the UN is so fundamentally weakened.