21 Apr 2026
524. Starmer’s Mandelson Mess and the Iranian Nuclear ThreatDid 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.
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.
108. Mhairi Black: Independence, inequality, and the future of the SNP
What was it like entering Parliament as the youngest MP? How has the SNP’s approach to campaigning for Scottish independence changed since the 2014 referendum? What does the future hold for... Continue
340. Question Time: Assisted Dying, Texting Macron, and the Politics of Scandal
Are Alastair and Rory starry-eyed about Australian politics? What have Alastair and Macron been texting about? And, what does the world look like without America at the centre of it? Join R... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s diary: Our shameful media, trolling for Trump
The British press featured some bizarre coverage of the US election this week, even by its own standards... Continue
339. Trump, the Middle East, and Ukraine
How will the president elect deal with the Israel-Gaza conflict? Does the US election result spell doom for Zelensky? What’s going on in Germany?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all th... Continue
107. General David Petraeus: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the US military’s role in the world
Was the surge in Iraq a success for the United States? How critical are alliances to maintaining global stability? How can leaders maintain resilience and integrity in the face of public scru... Continue
Why we should be upgrading not downgrading language teaching in schools across the UK
So yesterday was a big day for me … my first speech in German since my Goethe Institute courses in lockdown to brush up a language I had slowly lost since student days. It was last night, at the Ge... Continue
338. Trump beyond America: what’s next?
Who will Trump appoint to his cabinet? Did wishful thinking cloud the election? And, what do the next four years look like for Taiwan, Ukraine and the Middle East? Join Rory and Alastair as... Continue