The Rest Is Politics

21 Apr 2026

524. Starmer’s Mandelson Mess and the Iranian Nuclear Threat

Did Starmer show a fatal lack of judgement and curiosity about Peter Mandelson’s suitability for public office? How and why did Trump destroy years of successful Iranian nuclear ‘containment’ policy? Four years into the Sudan war, what does the failure of peace efforts reveal about the unravelling of the world order?

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

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.

Latest

113. How likely is World War 3? (Ian Bremmer)

What does Musk’s de-facto role as ‘co president’ say about the impact of Big Tech on the disintegration of the international order? How can we approach solving some of the world's bigge... Continue

353. Question Time: Celeb politicians, Chinese spies, and Ireland vs. Israel

Why is Israel shutting its embassy in Ireland? Who is the alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew? Will the UK ever have a Donald Trump-style leader? Rory and Alastair answer all these q... Continue

352. How to solve the small boats crisis

Will Labour be able to deliver on their promises on immigration? What is the thinking behind some of Trump's cabinet picks? Could German politics swing to the right?Join Rory and Alastair as ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s winners and losers of 2024

In many cases over the last 12 months, the people who looked like winners also turned out to be losers... Continue

112. Bill Clinton: Putin, Palestine, and Trump

Does Bill Clinton feel that the current Israel-Hamas war could have been avoided if former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had accepted the peace deal in 2001? Does he regret allowing Ch... Continue

351. Question Time: Geopolitics in Crisis

Why did the president of South Korea announce martial law this week? What does the result of the Romanian elections spell for Europe? How can Georgia resolve the protests happening there?Rory... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: What Farage told me about Musk, Trump & the Tories

It underlined that he views politics mainly through the lens of personality and rarely bothers with policy... Continue

350. Assad in Moscow, Trump meets Zelensky, and Farage’s secret strategy

Is there hope for Syria? What’s next for France? And, why does Nigel Farage have a spring in his step?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics... Continue