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

28 Sep 2026

208. Mustafa Suleyman: Is AI Actually Conscious?

Can Artificial Intelligence stay subordinate? Is Anthropic’s 100-Page constitution creating dangerous AI autonomy? Should AI models be granted legal personhood, rights, or financial compensation?

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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Alastair Campbell’s diary: It’s too soon for a leadership challenge to Starmer

The PM must show fight and passion - and his critics must consider what they really want... Continue
The New European

188. Will AI Give China or the US Total Power? (William MacAskill)

Could artificial intelligence hand the US or China 99% of global economic and military power? What happens when millions of autonomous weapons systems are controlled by a single commander-in-chief? Ha... Continue
Leading

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Farage wants to dodge the blame for Brexit. We can’t let him

Labour are letting Reform’s leader get away with it - the upcoming 10th anniversary is time to change that... Continue
The New European

Divided or Dependent? The Real Gen Z Story

Are the challenges faced by Gen Z unique or have we seen them before? Do workplaces need a Gen Z strategy, or is there something bigger at play? And, why does it feel like young people's attitudes are... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

530. Is Starmer the Next Joe Biden? Rory and Alastair React to Local Elections

Will Keir Starmer survive presiding over seismic Labour losses in the local elections, and if he doesn’t who should replace him? Do historic Reform and Green wins for Farage and Polanski confirm the... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Divided or Dependent: The Real Gen Z Story

Are the challenges faced by Gen Z unique or have we seen them before? Do workplaces need a Gen Z strategy, or is there something bigger at play? And, why does it feel like young people's attitudes are... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

529. Antisemitism, Polarisation, and How the King Outplayed Trump

How is polarisation fuelling antisemitism, and how should religious and political leaders respond? What can politicians learn from the King’s speech to Congress about how to challenge Trump? Is Russ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

528. Trump vs. Germany and Farage’s £5m ‘Gift’

As Trump threatens to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, has European appeasement of Trump officially failed? Will historic local election losses for Labour trigger a change of Prime Minister? Why ha... Continue
The Rest Is Politics