The Rest Is Politics

1 Oct 2026

576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern Ireland

As Trump becomes the first American president to personally welcome a visiting head of state off a plane since JFK greeted Harold Macmillan in 1962, did his summit with President Xi signal improving US-China relations, or does Xi have his counterpart in an economic chokehold? With the standoff between protesters and members of the pro-British Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland showing no sign of resolution, is the region's fragile peace in danger of unravelling? And as violence erupts in Ethiopia, is Africa's second most populous country on the brink of civil war – and does it risk dragging other regional actors into a wider conflict spanning the Horn of Africa and the Gulf?

Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.

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Leading

5 Oct 2026

209. Shabana Mahmood: Palestine Action, Faith and What I Told Starmer

Is the government's ban on Palestine Action lawful, or overreaching? Why can't Britain just send small boats straight back to France? Can faith and public duty coexist in modern British politics?

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.

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Latest

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Mental health is a vote-winner

A clear plan from Labour on how to repair the damage the Tories have done to our mental health services will reap enormous political dividends... Continue
The New European

34. Ed Davey: Leading the Lib Dems, fighting the Tories, and a coalition with Starmer’s Labour?

What was it like for the Liberal Democrats in coalition? Would Ed Davey be prepared to work alongside Keir Starmer in another coalition government? Is tactical voting a good idea? Join Rory a... Continue
Leading

Introducing… The Rest Is Money

Does money really make the world go round? Economics, business and finance have long been subjects we leave to the stockbrokers, hedge fund managers and business school professors who spend t... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

167. Question Time: How to rig an election, Scotland’s golden goose, and the least impressive president of all time

How did Mnangagwa win the Zimbabwe election? Who is the least impressive world leader Rory and Alastair have met? What makes a good political memoir?Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell as... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

166. Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and absolute populist power

What will happen to Wagner operations in Africa now that Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead? How dangerous is Modi's rhetoric for India and the world? Who has had a bigger impact on the constituents o... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Vladimir Putin’s belligerence must not be underestimated

The world, including myself, missed tell-tale signs that Putin was the murder machine and enemy of liberal democracies he’s proved to be... Continue
The New European

33. Mustafa Suleyman: Will AI save or destroy humanity?

How much do you really know about the dangers of AI? Is it the best hope we have of surviving as a species, or will it lead to the destruction of humanity?On today's episode of Leading Alas... Continue
Leading

165: Question Time: Populism in Portugal, texting David Cameron, and a challenger to Trump?

Is Portugal the exception to the populist wave? Are reshuffle rumours ever to be trusted? How possible is a one-nation Tory revival?Listen as Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics