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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Latest

154. Maro Itoje: Inequality, Identity, and Hope

How do we tackle global poverty and fight for change? What qualities are needed in a leadership role? Is the Labour government delivering on the issue of inequality in the UK? Rory and Alast... Continue
Leading

450. Question Time: How Gen Z Took Down the Government

**Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussion of murder-suicide, rape and sexual violence** How did a corruption scandal in Nepal trigger a youth-led political earthquake? Does the UN ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

449. Starmer Loses Control: Will Andy Burnham Challenge the PM?

As Trump arrives in the UK after the Mandelson-Epstein debacle, are Starmer’s days numbered as PM? If he can’t turn things around, who could replace him? Is Elon Musk trying to incite a c... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Where Starmer went wrong with the Mandelson debacle

Politics is as much about relationships and an understanding of human nature as it is about policy and legislation. The PM must learn this before it’s too late... Continue
The New European

153. The Man Who Invented The Internet (Tim Berners-Lee)

Tim Berners-Lee could be one of the richest men on the planet, why did he forfeit such large profits to make the world wide web a free and open space? How do we reclaim the internet from soci... Continue
Leading

153. The Man Who Invented The World Wide Web (Tim Berners-Lee)

Tim Berners-Lee could be one of the richest men on the planet, why did he forfeit such large profits to make the World Wide Web a free and open space? How do we reclaim the internet from soci... Continue
Leading

153. The Man Who Invented The World Wide Web (Tim Berners-Lee)

Tim Berners-Lee could be one of the richest men on the planet, why did he forfeit such large profits to make the World Wide Web a free and open space? How do we reclaim the internet from soci... Continue
Leading

448. Question Time: Mandelson’s Epstein Disgrace, Kirk’s Assassination, and Trump’s Illegal Boat Strike

Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics? Is Trump trying to start a fake war wit... Continue
The Rest Is Politics