The Rest Is Politics

19 Dec 2025

Will AI Take Our Jobs? (Ep 2)

Is AI a genuine productivity revolution, or just another tech bubble? Are any jobs safe from the advent of AI? And, can the UK harness the innovation, or will it fall behind?

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

15 Dec 2025

166. John Swinney: An Independent Scotland Is An Open Scotland

What is the future of the Scottish independence movement? How does the SNP rebuild trust and support for independence after a series of bruising scandals? Why did the Scottish First Minister feel disrespected by a series of Conservative Prime Ministers? 

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

Alastair Campbell’s diary: The country desperate for EU membership

Unfortunately for Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, the country's place in the EU will be secured not by optics, but by its democratic credentials and right now, those are being tested... Continue

135. Ed Miliband: Blair, Brown, and Battling his Brother (Part 1)

How did Ed Miliband’s childhood being raised by survivors of the Holocaust shape his politics? How did his role mediating between Blair and Brown earn Ed the moniker ‘Emissary from planet... Continue

407. Question Time: The U-turn Starmer Can’t Avoid

Just how extreme will Merz’s immigration curb get? Can the Labour Party still identify as centre-right? And should the men guilty of felling the Sycamore tree be sent to prison?  Join Ror... Continue

406. Biden, Springsteen, and Trump: Dancing in the Dark

What does Trump’s outburst against Bruce Springsteen and Joe Biden tell us about his psychology? Why has he lifted sanctions on al-Sharaa’s Syria, and why now? Has Portugal finally lost i... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Labour must reverse the winter fuel allowance cuts

Of all the things that the Labour government has done, this is the one that has done the most political damage... Continue

405. Starmer’s EU Deal: A New Era

Is Starmer's UK-EU deal a “win-win” reset of relations or a betrayal of Brexit red lines? Will this deal actually lower food and energy costs or boost growth? What does twelve years of Eu... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: This UK-EU reset must be just the start

We will only properly fix the mess leaving the bloc created if we admit the scale of it... Continue

134. Palestine’s Most Popular Politician: Marwan Barghouti’s Son on Occupation, Resistance, and Hope

Who, instead of Hamas, could represent a peaceful Palestinian leadership? Why does Marwan Barghouti remain the most popular leader in Palestine despite being in jail for over 20 years, a peri... Continue