The Rest Is Politics

2 Apr 2026

The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over

What is populism, and why is it so attractive to voters? Which human instincts do populists tap into to get votes? And what does a populist-led country look like?

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

30 Mar 2026

182. Culture Wars, Identity, and What Needs To Change In Congress (Sarah McBride)

How are rights for trans people in the US improving or worsening under the Republican administration? What fundamentally needs to change in Congress to improve the state of politics? Are the Democrats doing enough to win back the American public?

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

276. Why Joe Biden must step down

"Last night was a game changer. And the change that now has to come is to produce another game changer, which is a new Democratic candidate."In an emergency episode of The Rest Is Politics, R... Continue

275. Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?

What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci for their instant reacti... Continue

275. TRIP US: Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?

What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci for their instant reacti... Continue

82. Wes Streeting: Labour, privatisation, and the NHS

Could privatising areas of the NHS save it? How easy is it to reconcile one's faith and sexuality? What is Labour's plan for health and social care?Rory and Alastair are joined by the Shadow ... Continue

274. Sunak vs Starmer: The Final Showdown

Who won the final leadership debate? Did Rishi Sunak's more aggressive tactics pay dividends? What will Team Starmer make of his performance in Nottingham?Join Rory and Alastair for the audio... Continue

273. Question Time: Julian Assange, firing your friends, and why Labour should raise taxes

***TRIP post debate livestream - 9.30pm - Wednesday June 26th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya1K0WSvOAk***How will history remember Julian Assange? Why is Britain’s tax burden so high? D... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s election diary: The Conservatives deserve a superdefeat

What the Tories mean by a ‘supermajority’ is that they are set to lose really, really badly on July 4. Good... Continue

272. Sunak’s betting scandal, Farage in trouble, and will Rory vote Green?

How damaging is the election betting scandal for the Tories? Do Reform UK have a women problem? Is Emmanuel Macron facing electoral oblivion?Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell for the la... Continue