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

119. Tommy Vietor: How Democrats can fight Trump

How did Barack Obama become President? What was Hillary Clinton's huge mistake in 2016? How corrupt really is American politics today?Pod Save America host and former Barack Obama speechwrite... Continue

366. Question Time: Why do dictators bother with sham elections?

What stops billionaires spending their money in their lifetime? How can you stay engaged with politics without sacrificing mental health? Who are the hidden actors in the Israel/Gaza conflict... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Finding a ray of hope in Trump’s dark new era

At Davos, Nigerian-American Salome Agbaroji's poetry urged leaders not to cower in the face of populism... Continue

365. Trump’s Mafia World Order

How many ‘early warning signs of fascism’ are we seeing in the US? Has Trump delivered a fatal blow to America’s soft power around the world? Why does Alastair admire Prince Harry and h... Continue

118. Ex-Head of Mossad: Hamas, Ceasefire, and Netanyahu (Uzi Arad)

What’s the relationship between intelligence agencies and the politicians they serve? How does Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu react in a crisis? How confident should we be that t... Continue

364. Question Time: America’s waning power, Alastair vs. Meta, and the existential threat of depopulation

Musk, Zuckerberg, and Trump – who’s controlling who? Does populist isolationism actually make a country weaker? Could Farage actually be Prime Minister by 2029?Join Rory and Alastair as t... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Who’s really to blame for populism?

In pinning the blame for Trump, Brexit and the world’s woes on voters, we give politicians a free pass... Continue

363. The Return of Donald J. Trump

What did the inauguration tell us about how extreme Trump 2.0 is going to be? What is Netanyahu’s endgame for Gaza – peace or perpetual war? Why has Starmer launched an inquiry into the S... Continue