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

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Parliament’s lessons from the Commons Gaza vote

An issue as serious as the Israel-Gaza war got lost in arcane parliamentary semantics... Continue

61. James Rubin: Working for Biden, American intervention, and the fight against Russian disinformation

“You took me to one side and said be very, very careful of these people, these neo-cons. Because they’re going to use this to do all sorts of stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.”... Continue

222. Question Time: Banning phones in schools and parliament, citizens’ assemblies, and American isolationism

Should mobiles be banned from schools and the House of Commons? What is Labour's grand plan for citizens' assemblies really about? Is there growing Russian influence in Britain?Join Rory and ... Continue

221. The Killing of Alexei Navalny

What happened at the Munich Security Conference? Will Putin ever be held accountable? How will Trump fund his legal problems and a presidential campaign?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The prime minister is sunk

I'm starting to think the Tories are heading back, not a day too soon, into opposition... Continue

60. Anthony Scaramucci: What it’s like to be Donald Trump’s Communications Director

Would a second Trump presidency be far more right wing? What drives the former US president? Is he trying to do a deal with Taylor Swift?In this week's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair a... Continue

220. Sunak’s by-election disaster, Reform UK gains momentum, and political crisis in Rochdale

Will the rise of Reform UK be the downfall of the Conservatives? How consequential are Labour's by-election victories? Who will win in Rochdale?Join Rory and Alastair for an impromptu Friday ... Continue

219. Question Time: Vladimir Putin’s strategy, Labour’s selection headache, and VAT on private schools

Will Azhar Ali still stand as a Labour candidate in the Rochdale by-election? How revealing was Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin? Why do politicians seem to see apologising as a... Continue