The Rest Is Politics

30 Mar 2026

Nineteen Eighty-Four: Big Brother, Surveillance, and Fear (The Book Club)

Why is 1984 as relevant today as when it was published? Who is Big Brother, and why is he so powerful? What was George Orwell's intention when creating the world of 1984, and what does it tell us about politics today?

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

30 Mar 2026

182. Culture Wars, Identity, and What Needs To Change In Congress (Sarah McBride)

How are rights for trans people in the US improving or worsening under the Republican administration? What fundamentally needs to change in Congress to improve the state of politics? Are the Democrats doing enough to win back the American public?

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

400. Question Time: Has the US underestimated China?

What can be learnt from Poland’s fight against the far-right? Is it time for water to be nationalised? And, how has TRIP changed Alastair and Rory’s politics? Join Rory and Alastair as th... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: The great Trump meltdown

Is it too much to hope that, eventually, Trump’s constant lying and backtracking will be enough to bring down his administration?... Continue

399. Trump vs. Putin, How to Stop Farage, and Kashmir Explained

After 100 days of Trump 2.0, is he finally warming to Zelensky after their dramatic Vatican meeting? Is Reform UK’s rise really unstoppable? What’s next for India and Pakistan as the figh... Continue

131. The Global Health Crisis: USAID cuts, Trump, and the limits of AI (Atul Gawande)

How many people are going to die as a result of American support for USAID programs being removed? What are the limits of thinking of AI as the silver bullet for healthcare? How do we bring t... Continue

398. Question Time: Trump’s Plan to Overhaul US Diplomacy

Will Harvard win its fight with Trump? What caused Zelensky’s approval ratings to hit an all-time high? Which right-wing politician would Alastair swap places with? Join Alastair and Rory a... Continue

397. Pope Francis, the Trans Debate, and Trump’s International Populist Network

What does the UK's Supreme Court ruling mean for trans rights, single-sex spaces, and the debate Labour hoped to avoid? Is Trump 2.0 helping or hindering rightwing populists around the world?... Continue

397. Pope Francis, the Supreme Court Gender Ruling, and Trump’s International Populist Network

What does the UK's Supreme Court ruling mean for trans rights, single-sex spaces, and the debate Labour hoped to avoid? Is Trump 2.0 helping or hindering rightwing populists around the world?... Continue

130. The Prime Minister of Australia: Trump, China, and Social Media (Anthony Albanese)

What is the impact of Trump and China on the Australian election on 3rd May? How has the Australian government taken on social media companies to protect young users? How did Prime Minister A... Continue