The Rest Is Politics

1 Oct 2026

576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern Ireland

As Trump becomes the first American president to personally welcome a visiting head of state off a plane since JFK greeted Harold Macmillan in 1962, did his summit with President Xi signal improving US-China relations, or does Xi have his counterpart in an economic chokehold? With the standoff between protesters and members of the pro-British Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland showing no sign of resolution, is the region's fragile peace in danger of unravelling? And as violence erupts in Ethiopia, is Africa's second most populous country on the brink of civil war – and does it risk dragging other regional actors into a wider conflict spanning the Horn of Africa and the Gulf?

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

28 Sep 2026

208. Mustafa Suleyman: Is AI Actually Conscious?

Can Artificial Intelligence stay subordinate? Is Anthropic’s 100-Page constitution creating dangerous AI autonomy? Should AI models be granted legal personhood, rights, or financial compensation?

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

89. David Davis: The danger of Farage and the battle for the soul of the Tory Party

Does David Davis still think Brexit has been a success? Was he wrong on gay marriage and the death penalty? Is meritocracy in Britain now a thing of the past?Alastair and Rory are joined by f... Continue

299. The Secret Behind Trump’s Silence

Has Kamala Harris chosen the right person as her running mate? Why has Donald Trump stayed quiet in response? How much do celebrity endorsements impact elections?Join Katty Kay and Anthony Sc... Continue

298. Question Time: Venezuela’s fate, Hezbollah’s response, and how prisoner swaps really work

What impact have US sanctions had on Venezuela? Is Tom Tugendhat a Tory Keir Starmer? How should Hezbollah respond to attacks without risking domestic support?Rory and Alastair answer all the... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: The Trump-Vance ticket is laughable

Ironically, the Trump campaign is trying to paint Kamala Harris’s likeability as a joke... Continue

297. Far-right chaos, Harris’ running mate, and Bangladesh’s power vacuum

What is fuelling the far-right riots spreading across England? Who is Kamala Harris’ new running mate? Why has Bangladesh’s prime minister fled the country?Join Rory and Alastair as they ... Continue

88. Bush and Iraq, being J.D. Vance’s boss, and why Trump loses (David Frum)

What was George W Bush like behind closed doors? Why did Trump really choose ‘never-Trump guy’ JD Vance as his running mate? How can Kamala Harris win the election?Rory and Alastair are j... Continue

296. Could Donald Trump drop out?

What will the impact be of Trump's nightmare week? Will he make it to polling day? Why do evangelicals stick by him no matter what?Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all the... Continue

295. Question Time: Israel vs. Hezbollah, legalising cannabis, and Kamala Harris’ Middle East strategy

Will the attack on the Golan Heights push Israel and Hezbollah into war? How does Harris’ approach to the Middle East differ from Trump's? How do Rory and Alastair square their beliefs with... Continue