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.

91. DNC Special: The Pollster (John Anzalone)

What goes on behind the scenes of campaign polling? When did American campaigns stop focusing on policy and become all about themes? How do parties use polls to change their tactics?Rory and ... Continue

23 August 2024

90. Why we should ban all money from politics and kids from social media (Peter Malinauskas)

Are donations the biggest evil in politics? Should children be banned from social media entirely? How much does Australia look to the UK in 2024?On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alas... Continue

19 August 2024

89. David Davis: The danger of Farage and the battle for the soul of the Tory Party

Does David Davis still think Brexit has been a success? Was he wrong on gay marriage and the death penalty? Is meritocracy in Britain now a thing of the past?Alastair and Rory are joined by f... Continue

12 August 2024

88. Bush and Iraq, being J.D. Vance’s boss, and why Trump loses (David Frum)

What was George W Bush like behind closed doors? Why did Trump really choose ‘never-Trump guy’ JD Vance as his running mate? How can Kamala Harris win the election?Rory and Alastair are j... Continue

5 August 2024

87. Nick Clegg: Biden, Brexit, and kicking Trump off Facebook (Part 2)

What is the legacy of the coalition government? How do American politicians compare to British? Do the leaders of Silicon Valley have more power than the leaders in Washington and Westminster... Continue

29 July 2024

86. Nick Clegg: Coalition, Cameron, and Chaos (Part 1)

What closed-doors conversations led to the 2010 coalition? What were the coalition years like? How did it all go wrong for the Liberal Democrats in 2015? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nick ... Continue

22 July 2024

85. Lisa Nandy: Making Britain a cultural superpower

What responsibilities will Lisa Nandy take on as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport? Why was this the most toxic election campaign she has fought? How has the importance... Continue

15 July 2024

84. Denmark’s former PM on the power of centrist politics, fighting misogyny, and joining the Kinnock empire (Helle Thorning-Schmidt)

How can we unite the extreme right and extreme left? What impact can small countries have on global politics? How was the former Danish Prime Minister influenced by New Labour?Rory and Alasta... Continue

8 July 2024

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.