The Rest Is Politics

22 Oct 2026

582. Netanyahu’s Fight for Survival and the Gaza Film That Shocked Rory and Alastair

What is at stake for Israelis and Palestinians in the upcoming parliamentary elections and, if Netanyahu loses, will anything actually change given the major parties reject a two state solution? Why does the IDF’s ‘bureaucracy of mass murder’ and its ‘NAZA’ collateral damage policy in Gaza feature so little in Israel’s domestic political debates? From Trump’s new press secretary’s disastrous five-day tenure, to the fallout from the Reform UK documentary, are we all now living in parallel political universes where scandals have less impact than they used to?

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

19 Oct 2026

211. Trump’s Niece on Why He’s On Putin’s Side

How did Donald Trump’s childhood shape the president we see today? Why was Mary Trump cut out of her grandfather’s billion-dollar will? Why does he want to see Europe fail?

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

193. James Cleverly: Why Has There Been A Radical Shift On The Right?

What does James Cleverly think of Nigel Farage and Reform? How does Cleverly explain his unexpected exit from the Tory leadership race? What could the future of AI in Great Britain look like under dif... Continue
Leading

542. Starmer Loses His Defence Secretary: What Next?

What does John Healey's shock resignation mean for Keir Starmer, whose position is already on the line ahead of Andy Burnham's crunch by-election in Makerfield? Who might replace Healey in one of the ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

541. Trump’s World Cup Mess and Kushner’s Albania Deal

As the Trump administration blocks a referee from entering the US, is this the most political world cup of all time, and just how messy will it get? Can the Democrats flip the Senate, and would it act... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

540. The Untold Iran Crisis, Henry Nowak, and Farage’s Politics of Rage

As Trump’s Iran disaster continues, are we facing a full-blown energy and economic crisis in the UK and beyond? Why are politicians refusing to be honest about the real cost of the Iran crisis? What... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: My journey to see what makes the Finns so happy

The Nordic nation has been named the ‘happiest country in the world’ for the last eight years. Why?... Continue
The New World

192. Are We On The Brink Of World War III? (Odd Arne Westad)

How similar is today's world to the months before the outbreak of World War I? Could Taiwan, India-China tensions, or an unforeseen crisis be the spark that sets the world ablaze? Are our leaders too ... Continue
Leading

539. Embezzlement, the Mandelson Texts, and Hasan Piker’s UK Ban

What does the SNP embezzlement case reveal about how scandal-ridden British politics is? Is the banning of prominent left-wing American commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur a sensible decision or a... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

538. The Pope’s AI Warning and Alastair Reacts to Blair’s Attack

Is Pope Leo’s encyclical the most important contribution to the AI debate so far, and is he doing more to hold Silicon Valley to account than any Western government? What did Alastair say to Tony Bl... Continue
The Rest Is Politics