The Rest Is Politics

16 Aug 2025

438. Inside the Trump-Putin Summit: What Really Happened in Alaska?

What does 'no deal' mean for Ukraine and Europe? What was agreed behind closed doors? How will Zelensky respond?

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

18 Aug 2025

149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1)

What is the difference between class distinctions in Scotland and the rest of the UK? How did Nicola Sturgeon's childhood in Scotland inform her politics? What was Margaret Thatcher's influence on Nicola's career?

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

238. Question Time: Liz Truss, climate change deniers, and why print media is so polarised

What actions can government take to mitigate the impact of smartphones on the mental health of children? What are the advantages and disadvantages of voting for an independent Mayor? With all... Continue

237. Iran, Israel, and the Middle East: Stopping the slide into all-out war

How will Israel respond to Iran’s attack? What is Joe Biden’s long-term plan for Ukraine? What has Liz Truss' new book revealed about her short spell in Downing Street?Join Rory and Alast... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The Mail is hiding scandals of its own

The paper’s attacks on Angela Rayner reek of hypocrisy and double standards... Continue

69. The brutal truth about net zero and how to vanquish climate populists, with Dieter Helm

Is net zero 2030 impossible to achieve - and is it a mistake to pursue it? Should governments be more brutal with climate investment? Are events like COP a waste of time?Rory and Alastair are... Continue

236. Question Time: The fight to be Donald Trump’s VP nominee

Who will Trump pick as his running mate? How much do you know about ‘Project 2025’? What’s the story behind Angela Rayner’s tax affairs?Join Rory and Alastair for TRIP Question Time a... Continue

Sunak looks like he is toast, but too many don’t knows for Labour to get complacent

A new development for The Rest Is Politics podcast this week: we have tied up with JL Partners, a polling company Rory Stewart first got to know well when running for London Mayor, and who also did t... Continue

235. What Britain really thinks of politics

Are the Tories in danger of being overtaken by Reform UK? Should polling instruct or inform political decisions? Who is the country’s least popular politician?Join Rory and Alastair for the... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Brexiteers’ Singapore-on-Thames promise was a con

Deceitful Brexiters always knew that a post-Brexit Britain and Singapore would be deeply incompatible... Continue