The Rest Is Politics

11 Sep 2025

448. Question Time: Mandelson’s Epstein Disgrace, Kirk’s Assassination, and Trump’s Illegal Boat Strike

Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics? Is Trump trying to start a fake war with Venezuela?

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

8 Sep 2025

152. “A War on Children”: A Generation in Gaza at Risk (James Elder)

Why is the humanitarian situation in Gaza the worst that James Elder has ever seen? What does the process of rebuilding Gaza look like? How do the people working on the ground not lose hope? 

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

68. Israel-Gaza: How the conflict divided Britain and the US, with Ed Kessler

What makes international conflicts turn domestic? Does Qatar play the key role in bringing peace to the Middle East? Is there a generational split in the West over Israel-Gaza?On today's epis... Continue

234. Question Time: Why New Labour introduced tuition fees, Thatcher and Blair’s canvassing secrets, and the greatest prime minister we never had

Who would have been in Rory’s cabinet if he had won the 2019 Tory leadership contest? Who is the best prime minister we never had? How can we fix England and Wales' struggling universities?... Continue

233. From peerages to Putin: the fight against corruption in politics

How can we root out corruption in politics, both at home and abroad? What’s caused the crisis in Israel around its ultra-Orthodox population? What really happened in the story of crypto’s... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The Tories deserve to be annihilated at the election

It might even be better for the Conservatives too, but I am less concerned about them than I am about Britain... Continue

67. A Tale of Two Spies: The former heads of MI5 and MI6 on the Iraq War, double agents, and the IRA

Should spies be allowed to break the law while undercover? What should the relationship between government and intelligence look like? Do we overestimate or underestimate the power and reach ... Continue

A tale of two spy chiefs, and their views on past, present and future

If the four people in the picture above was a pop group, they might be called The Podspooks, or the Polispooks ... on either flank me and my podcast co-host Rory Stewart, in the middle former MI5 dir... Continue

232. Question Time: ISIS-K vs Russia, radical reform of the NHS, and the fight against child poverty

What is the wider significance of the terrorist attack in Moscow? Does the NHS need reform or spending increases? And why is the increase in child poverty not being discussed in the media?... Continue

231. Labour’s struggle for economic vision and Haiti on the brink

What's happening in Haiti? Why is Keir Starmer getting dragged into culture war politics? Is Rachel Reeves' economic plan for the country "underwhelming" or "thoughtful"?Join Rory and Alastai... Continue