Leading

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.

180. The Only European Leader Defying Trump? (Pedro Sánchez)

Why is Prime Minister Sánchez such an outlier in challenging Trump on everything from military spending to Gaza? What’s behind Spain’s recent economic success? How is Spain tackling the rising fa... Continue

16 March 2026

179. President Stubb: Trump’s Unlikely Best Friend

How did President Stubb’s golfing talent lead him to fostering a close relationship with President Trump? Why was ‘Prime Minister’ the worst job ever? Why will the Global South define the new wo... Continue

9 March 2026

178. Gavin Newsom: The Next President Of The United States?

What happened on a ridiculous midnight phone call between Donald Trump and the Governor of California? Why does Gavin Newsom believe the President will be crushed in the mid-terms? What is Newsom’s ... Continue

2 March 2026

177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism

Does the former German Chancellor think that Germany was wrong to rely on Russian gas in the run up to the war in Ukraine? What does Olaf Scholz think is behind the rise of the far-right Alternative f... Continue

23 February 2026

176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)

How does the former US Special Representative for Iran think US-Iranian relations will improve? Is there a method to Trump’s madness when it comes to foreign policy? Why does Robert believe the “t... Continue

16 February 2026

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies? Rory and Alastair are... Continue

9 February 2026

174. Taking On Europe’s Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin

How did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya go from being a housewife to leading a Belarussian government in exile? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko become the last dictator in Europe? Why was Segei, Sviatlana’s h... Continue

6 February 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 s... Continue

2 February 2026

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.