The Rest Is Politics

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

7 Sep 2026

205. Anthony Scaramucci: Why America Keeps Making the Same Mistakes

Why does Anthony Scaramucci think Osama bin Laden is “winning”, and what has the War on Terror really cost America? From letting China into the WTO to bailing out the banks in 2008, how did America's own leaders pave the way for Donald Trump's electoral victories? As Trump's second term reaches its halfway point, is America about to bankrupt itself?

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

401. Trump’s Corruption Machine, Israeli Settlers, and the Rise of Reform UK

How has Donald Trump transformed his political power into a money-making machine, and what does it mean for American democracy? How did Israel's settler movement shift from the extremist frin... Continue

132. Former Head of MI6: Russia, China, and Trump (Sir Alex Younger)

What is the real job of a spy? What is the role of the UK’s intelligence community in Trump’s new world order? How does the relationship between politicians and intelligence services work... Continue

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

399. 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

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