17 Apr 2026
523. The Starmer-Mandelson Scandal: Lying or Incompetence?Can Starmer survive if it emerges he was previously told about Mandelson's failed vetting? Is he developing a pattern of blaming others when things go wrong? Will this lead Labour MPs to start questioning their leader ahead of crucial local elections?
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.
20 Apr 2026
185. Can Labour Win Back Scotland? (Anas Sarwar)Does the Leader of Scottish Labour regret calling for Keir Starmer to resign over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador? In the upcoming election, would he consider putting Scottish Labour into a coalition with the Reform Party to defeat the SNP? How does he plan to tackle the rise of Islamophobia and the politics of despair that are increasingly gripping Scotland and the UK?
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.
378. TRUMP VS. ZELENSKY: OVAL OFFICE SHOWDOWN
What does Trump’s dramatic outburst at Zelensky mean for Ukraine and the world? Was this an orchestrated ambush by JD Vance and Trump? Should King Charles withdraw his Trump state visit inv... Continue
377. Question Time: How will Europe defend itself?
Should the UK impose a ‘War Levy’ on VAT to raise immediate funds for defence? How much independence does Starmer have over the nuclear arsenal? And, what happened to the funds intended ... Continue
376. Aid vs Defence: A Livestream Special
Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to increase defence spending by 2027 - redirecting funds from foreign aid. What does this mean for the UK and its global role?Join Rory and Alastair as the... Continue
375. Germany’s Fight Against the Far Right
Has Trump already become a strategic adversary to Europe? Will Starmer’s White House visit be his ‘Love, Actually’ moment? How can Europe actually become independent from the US?Join Ro... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s diary: Donald and Vladimir, a love story
Donald Trump and the mind-bending insanity of his foreign policy that treats enemies as friends and vice versa... Continue
122. How Europe can survive Trump (Frans Timmermans)
Are Trump and Putin carving up the world? How should the EU adapt to this new world? What imagination is needed on the political left? TRIP Plus:Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus ... Continue
374. Question Time: Why The US Needs A Leader Of The Opposition
How dangerous is Europe's exclusion from Ukraine peace talks? Is there anything to be learnt from the USAID cuts? And what are Rory and Alastair's guilty pleasures?Join Alastair and Rory as t... Continue
373. Europe vs. America: Crisis in the West
What can Europe do to protect itself against the Trump administration? Will Germany’s historic anti-far right ‘firewall’ collapse? Will Ukraine become a Russian satellite state?Join Ror... Continue