526. Can the King Save the Special Relationship?

  • Podcast

  • 28 April 2026

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 0

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 nuclear? Is Trump's comical mathematical illiteracy actually a serious threat to democracy?


Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.


__________


Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.


Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord.


The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at https://fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription.


__________


Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com


__________


Social Producer: Emma Jackson

Video Editor: Josh Smith, Bruno Di Castri

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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... Continue

28 April 2026

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... Continue

27 April 2026

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?... Continue

23 April 2026

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... Continue

21 April 2026

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... Continue

21 April 2026

185. Can Labour Win Back Scotland? (Anas Sarwar)

Does the Leader of Scottish Labour regret calling for Keir Starmer to resign over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador? In the upcoming election, would he consider putting Scottish Labo... Continue

20 April 2026

523. The Starmer-Mandelson Scandal: Lying or Incompetence?

Can Starmer survive if it emerges he was previously told about Mandelson's failed vetting? Is he developing a pattern of blaming others when things go wrong? Will this lead Labour MPs to start questio... Continue

17 April 2026

Beating Populism: How To Fight Back

Are we living in a 1930s moment in history? How can leaders fight back against populism? And is Franklin D Roosevelt the answer? Join Alastair Campbell and Liam Byrne for part 2 of their discussion o... Continue

16 April 2026