The Rest Is Politics

21 Oct 2026

581. Trump and Putin vs. Zelensky: Is Europe Sleepwalking into Disaster?

After another devastating week for Ukraine, is Trump now firmly on Putin’s side, and how much leverage does Elon Musk have over Zelensky’s war effort through his ownership of Starlink? With more civil unrest in France, what does this mean for a protest movement increasingly overshadowed by rioting, and could it play into Marine Le Pen’s hands ahead of next year's presidential election? What do we know about the attack on Australian MP Helen Haines, after she was hit by a car twice in what the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described as a “deliberate” act?

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

579. Trump’s Public Execution Order and Burnham’s Brexit Intervention

How does Marco Rubio’s Parthenon speech fit the Trump administration’s ideas on European “civilisational erasure” – and how does it depart from traditional Republican rhetoric? With Pete Heg... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

210. Andy Burnham: My Relationship With Starmer, Brexit Lies and Emotion in Politics

How will he change Britain’s relationship with the EU? Why has he agreed to publish details of meetings following the Manchester City scandal? With the Trump administration planning to livestream a ... Continue
Leading
Alastair Campbell and Mishal Husain with the book Persevilience, The New World

Alastair Campbell and Mishal Husain live at Cadogan Hall

He’s invented a word. He says it’s the word the world needs now. She’s going to make him explain why. Alastair joins acclaimed broadcaster Mishal Husain on stage to discuss his new book, Per... Continue
Event

578. Alastair and Michael Gove Disagree Agreeably on Brexit and Israel

Will there be another EU referendum, despite Andy Burnham promising not to re-run old Brexit arguments? Will Michael Gove ever criticise Israel's actions in Palestine, and if not, why not? What do the... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

577. Is Badenoch Finally Stopping Farage and Why Are French Schools on Fire?

With Reform bogged down in scandal, and Kemi Badenoch setting out her political vision at Conservative Party conference, have the Tories finally wrestled momentum on the right of British politics away... Continue
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501 cover for web

Alastair Campbell’s diary: The door that leads back to the EU is finally open. Now let’s walk through it

How fitting that new talk of joining again coincided with the 500th issue of The New World, originally founded to oppose Brexit... Continue
The New World

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? Ro... Continue
Leading

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 U... Continue
The Rest Is Politics