The Rest Is Politics

21 Aug 2025

440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist Party

Why 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?

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

38. Theresa May: Windrush, police, and the cult of personality (Part 1)

What is Theresa May’s biggest regret from her time as Home Secretary? Why was the Hillsborough disaster such an abuse of power? What’s it like to stay on as an MP after occupying the hi... Continue

175. Question Time: The Power of Rupert Murdoch

What is Rupert Murdoch's legacy in the world of media and politics? What did Rory discuss with First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf? Why have there been protests within the Metropolitan P... Continue

174. Scrapping HS2, ‘Ukraine fatigue’, and ‘Vive le Roi!’

Is Angela Rayner more popular than Keir Starmer? What’s going on in Poland and why is one of Ukraine's strongest allies seemingly waning in its support? Why do the French love King Charles?... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Rishi Sunak brought the Tories to a new low

Sunak's U-turn on the environment makes Boris Johnson and Liz Truss appear honest and capable... Continue

37. Chris Hipkins, New Zealand PM: Working with Xi Jinping, fighting to stay in power, and zero covid’s double-edged sword

What is it like going from cabinet minister to Prime Minister? Are politicians in New Zealand more courteous than politicians in the UK? Why was New Zealand's Covid-19 response so effective?F... Continue

173. Question Time: Corbyn’s expulsion from Labour, Belgium’s sex education crisis, and how would Blair fare as PM today?

Was Keir Starmer right to expel Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour party? Why is sex education causing protests in Belgium? How would Tony Blair's Labour cope in 2023?Join Rory Stewart and Alastai... Continue

172. Liz Truss returns, Putin’s Western puppets, and Rory at the United Nations

What have we learnt on the first anniversary of Britain's catastrophic experiment with Trussonomics?Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss Libya, the United Nations General Assembly, Putin's ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The most brutal speech I ever heard

We need more great oratory in Westminster, not less... Continue