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.

69. The brutal truth about net zero and how to vanquish climate populists, with Dieter Helm

Is net zero 2030 impossible to achieve - and is it a mistake to pursue it? Should governments be more brutal with climate investment? Are events like COP a waste of time?Rory and Alastair are... Continue

15 April 2024

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68. Israel-Gaza: How the conflict divided Britain and the US, with Ed Kessler

What makes international conflicts turn domestic? Does Qatar play the key role in bringing peace to the Middle East? Is there a generational split in the West over Israel-Gaza?On today's epis... Continue

8 April 2024

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67. A Tale of Two Spies: The former heads of MI5 and MI6 on the Iraq War, double agents, and the IRA

Should spies be allowed to break the law while undercover? What should the relationship between government and intelligence look like? Do we overestimate or underestimate the power and reach ... Continue

1 April 2024

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66. Antony Gormley: Art, religion, and the battle for culture

Can Britain remain a cultural superpower post-Brexit? How does religion and philosophy inform creativity? How can we prevent arts from being cut from curriculums? Rory and Alastair are joined... Continue

25 March 2024

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65. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo: Vladimir Putin, surviving prison, and Serbia

How did peace come to the Balkans? What was it like to be a political prisoner? Is Serbia more allied with the West, or with Putin?Rory and Alastair are joined by the Prime Minister of Kosovo... Continue

18 March 2024

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64. Caroline Lucas: Leading the Green Party, leaving politics, and the importance of protest

How hard is it to be a one person party in parliament? What can the left learn from the populist right? Could electoral reform actually help Keir Starmer?On today's episode of Leading, Rory ... Continue

11 March 2024

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63. Sajid Javid: Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Shamima Begum (Part 2)

What is Sajid's biggest regret from his time in politics? What barriers did he come up against in the Shamima Begum case during his time as Home Secretary? Will the NHS survive?Rory and Alast... Continue

8 March 2024

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62. Sajid Javid: Austerity, the Tory leadership contest, and the problem with ‘islamophobia’ (Part 1)

How are politicians working to combat anti-muslim and antisemitic racism in the UK? How does Sajid maintain friendships across party lines? Was austerity the only option for the Conservatives... Continue

4 March 2024

Podcast

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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.