The Rest Is Politics

7 Aug 2025

435. Question Time: The Migrant Return Plan, Colombia’s Drug Cartels, and Will Rory Join Corbyn’s New Party?

Can Starmer’s deal with Macron really fix the Channel crisis? Is Colombia’s fragile peace falling apart amid a booming drug trade? And, could AI replace mental health support lines? 

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.

Leading

4 Aug 2025

146. The Rise and Fall of The Conservative Party: Jeremy Hunt (Part 1)

How did Jeremy Hunt lose the Conservative leadership race to Boris Johnson? What does the longest serving Health Minister think will fix the NHS? What does Jeremy Hunt really think of Kemi Badenoch’s leadership? 

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.

Latest

127. Donald Trump vs American Freedom: Who Wins? (Moises Naim)

Is this the end of democracy in the USA? Following the election of Trump, could democracy in America die? How did Moises Naim come up with his three p’s; Populism, Polarisation, and Post-t... Continue

388. Question Time: Adolescence, Mexico at a crossroads, and Carney’s Canadian momentum

How has Mexico responded to Donald Trump? Will new Netflix show Adolescence really move the dial on youth violence? How significant a factor will Trump and the US relationship be in the Canad... Continue

387. Spring Statement Verdict with Economist Paul Johnson (Extract)

This episode is available in FULL to members of TRIP Plus. Sign up now at therestispolitics.comHas Rachel Reeves played it too safe, or is caution exactly what the economy needs right now? Is... Continue

386. Trump’s ‘Bomb Yemen’ Group Chat

Is America now conducting ‘stag do diplomacy’? Is Turkey still a democracy? What will Rachel Reeves do in her Spring Statement?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions an... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Putin’s dirty tricks campaign

Whether or not they were involved in the Heathrow fire, the Russians revel in the mayhem their hybrid actions cause... Continue

126. Israel, Gaza, and the United Nations (Francesca Albanese)

What role does the UN play in the Occupied Palestinian territories? What is the responsibility of Western media when it comes to covering issues surrounding Israel and Palestine? How did Fran... Continue

385. Question Time: Trump, Putin, and the Future of Ukraine

How likely is an all-out win for Putin? What do Saudi Arabia and UAE think about Trump? What is behind the protests in Serbia?Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all of this and more.The Re... Continue

384. Labour’s War on Welfare, Trump’s Tariff Secret, and Britain’s Fight for Farming

What sort of deal-maker is Trump? Are Labour Serious About Social Justice? And, can MPs afford to lose the farmers vote?Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all of these questions and more.Â... Continue