21 Aug 2025
440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist PartyWhy do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much?
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
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: The uplifting school which would take Farage to his breaking point
An academy where 85% of pupils have English as a second language found engaged, informed children with high aspirations and plenty of questions... Continue
41. Reid Hoffman: Bankrolling Biden to beat Trump, the “PayPal Mafia”, and Musk’s messiah complex
How does life in Silicon Valley compare to the United Kingdom? What was it like working with Elon Musk and Peter Thiel starting PayPal? Is the future of AI as bleak as it seems?Rory and Alast... Continue
184. Question Time: Why Britain Needs Shorter Prison Sentences
How do we solve the prisons crisis in the UK? Will Johnson and Sunak face charges for their lack of cooperation with the Covid inquiry? Should the Liberal Democrats run their campaign on rejo... Continue
183. Israel-Gaza: What Happens Next
What is the next stage in the war between Israel and Hamas? How important is Joe Biden's impending visit? Is it possible to be both victim and oppressor?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer ... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: What Yuval Noah Harari can teach us about Israel and Gaza
Harari believes prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu should accept responsibility, vow to see the crisis through, and then go... Continue
182. Palestine, Gaza, and Israel
What's it like to live in Gaza? What are the key differences between the PLO, the PA, Fatah and Hamas? How far away are we from the diplomatic high point of the Oslo Accords?On today's episod... Continue
40. Minette Batters: The Most Powerful Farmer in Britain
70% of British land is agricultural - yet we don't speak about farming much. What is the politics of the UK's farming industry? How has Brexit affected British produce and trade? And what is ... Continue
181. Israel, invasion, and the trap laid by Hamas
Does Hamas actually want Israel to invade Gaza? Is there a danger that this tragic situation will strengthen the hand of the ultra-nationalist Israeli right? How should the international comm... Continue