6. Globalism, Scottish Nationalism, and Rory’s new job

Could this be the final ever episode of The Rest Is Politics after Rory's revelation last Friday, 1st April? Hopefully not! After more terrible news from Ukraine and some countries refusing t... Continue

6 April 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

5. Tribal politics, anonymous sources, and Malcolm Tucker

Do the Royal family and the Commonwealth still have a place in the modern world? Alastair and Rory discuss Rwanda and countries recovering from war, whether Joe Biden is an effective communic... Continue

30 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The Rest is Politics

Trying to work out why the new podcast has gone whoosh

Now look ... I am self-aware enough to admit to having a large ego, and to admit that I have a condition known as maladaptive competitiveness, which means if I do something, I like to do it well, and... Continue

23 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

4. Iraq, brave opposition, and powerful Chancellors

As Rory returns from a tour of Iraq with a landmine charity, what lessons can be learned from the country since the occupation, and how could they be applied to the current situation in Ukrai... Continue

23 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

3. Zelenskyy’s humanity, Lebvedev’s parties, and Eton

Who is winning the communications landscape in Ukraine? Alastair and Rory discuss the importance of soft power, the sacrifices needed to free European dependency on Russian oil, the most inti... Continue

16 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The Rest Is History: Young Putin, the KGB and the Soviet Union

In our most recent episode, Alastair mentioned our sister podcast, The Rest Is History, and its recent mini-series on the Soviet Union, its fall, Putin's early life and his subsequent rise to... Continue

14 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

2. Lying, vanity and friendship in politics

Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell!With Ukrainian refugees struggling to claim asylum in the UK, why aren't the British government's... Continue

9 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

What are Putin's influences?

On two thinkers long dead, but living on in Putin’s worldview and actions

I am indebted to my friend Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, for alerting me to the possible influence of a man named Lev Gumilev in shaping the thinking and actions of Vladimir Putin. Gumilev ... Continue

6 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

1. Putin in person, Russian money in British politics, and Bono vs Blair

What's Vladimir Putin like to deal with in person? On the first episode of "The Rest Is Politics", Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart tackle the latest developments in Ukraine, give their ins... Continue

2 March 2022

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell is a writer, communicator and strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Still active in politics and campaigns in Britain and overseas, he now splits his time between writing, speaking, broadcasting, charities and consultancy.