The Rest Is Politics

19 Jun 2026

545. Burnham Beats Reform: Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Has Andy Burnham’s huge victory against Reform in Makerfield shown the Labour Party how it can beat Farage? What does this defeat mean for the right, and how tricky will the coming months be for Andy Burnham? What does the Tory victory against the SNP in Aberdeen mean for British energy policy?

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

22 Jun 2026

194. Is Putin Losing his Grip on Russia?

With war fatigue growing and polls showing increasing dissatisfaction with life in Russia, is Vladimir Putin beginning to lose control? What is really happening inside Russia today? And what is it like to report the truth from inside one of the world's most repressive states?

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

335. 6am: Trump On The Brink

Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight GMT on Tue 5th Nov, again from 5am-9am G... Continue

334. 11pm: US Election Countdown Begins

Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight GMT on Tue 5th Nov, again from 5am-9am G... Continue

LIVE NOW: US Election 2024

Head to Youtube now for live coverage of the election, from 8pm-midnight UK time and then again from 5am. Search for ‘The Rest Is Politics’ on YouTube or go toyoutube.com/watch?v=sAmC9FDX... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: I think Trump will lose, but I know he won’t concede

Fuelled by lies and Elon Musk mania, Trump would turn a straightforward democratic event into a legal marathon... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: President Trump. It doesn’t bear thinking about

Historians will analyse this election, and the phenomenon of Trump, for the rest of time... Continue

106. Michael Lewis: Donald Trump, Sam Bankman-Fried, and the future of the USA

What do Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and Washington DC all have in common? Why has Donald Trump made the impact he has in the US? What was Sam Bankman-Fried really like to work alongside? Ror... Continue

333. Kemi Badenoch, Tory Party Leader

What should we expect from the new leader of the Conservative Party? Does Badenoch spell trouble for Labour? How will she reflect on her role as the first black woman to lead a major UK polit... Continue

105. War and Peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East (George Mitchell)

What is it like to negotiate with terrorists? Will peace ever be possible in the Middle East? How did the Good Friday Agreement come to pass? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastai... Continue