The Rest Is Politics

30 Jul 2026

Data Centres vs. Drinking Water: What Matters To Us Most?

To hear the full episode, which includes an interview with global water expert, Sandra Postel, sign up at the therestispolitics.com

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

27 Jul 2026

199. Is Trump’s Chaos Pushing Iceland Towards the EU? (Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir)

What are the real reasons Iceland has brought forward its vote on restarting accession talks with the EU? What lessons did the Prime Minister learn from watching Brexit unfold while living in the UK, and how have those experiences shaped her government's approach to Iceland's EU campaign? How did the Social Democrats go from three MPs to running the country?

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

159. Michael Gove: My Journey From Left to Right (Part 1)

How did Michael Gove go from campaigning for Labour leader Michael Foot in 1983 to becoming a Conservative MP? What is the impact that Rupert Murdoch has had on public life? What do Michael a... Continue

The Phone-Hacking Scandal: How Murdoch’s UK Empire Fell

What was the phone-hacking scandal and how did it escalate into a major crisis? How was Alastair himself implicated? What did Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Wendi Deng mean for his family's for... Continue

The Phone-Hacking Scandal: How Murdoch’s UK Empire Fell (Part 3)

What was the phone-hacking scandal and how did it escalate into a major crisis? How was Alastair himself implicated? What did Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Wendi Deng mean for his family's for... Continue

461. Question Time: China’s Spy Web, the Tel Aviv Fan Ban, and Japan’s New Thatcher

Why did Britain drop a clear Chinese spying case? Was banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans the right call? What does Prince Andrew’s latest downfall reveal about the royals? Join Rory and Alastai... Continue

461. Question Time: The Tel Aviv Fan Ban & Japan’s New Thatcher

This episode has been edited to remove a discussion on the China spy case. The Rest Is Politics wishes to make clear that Mr Christopher Cash and Mr Christopher Berry were found not guilty of... Continue

460. Inside Trump’s Gaza-Ukraine Playbook: Who Profits from Peace?

Is Trump selling peace to the highest bidder? Is the Farage surge in Wales a warning shot for Westminster? Why is the UK going backwards again on mental health? Join Rory and Alastair as the... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Dear young Republicans, JD Vance is no role model

Students in the US believe the UK has a free speech problem and the vice president is spinning this myth as a reality... Continue

158. Baroness Hale: The Supreme Court, Boris Johnson, and the ECHR

How did it feel to take on then Prime Minister Boris Johnson when Baroness Hale ruled his suspension of Parliament "unlawful"? Why does the Trump administration present such a threat to the i... Continue