The Rest Is Politics

13 Feb 2026

The Battle for the Arctic

One of the most important political issues of our time - the battle for the Arctic. Why is Russia so dominant there? Why does Trump really want Greenland? And why is Climate Change right at the heart of this?Join Alastair and author Kenneth R. Rosen in the first episode of our new members-only miniseries on the battle for geopolitical control of the icy north, the polar war.

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

9 Feb 2026

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies?

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

Margaret Thatcher would send Jenrick packing PDQ

On the podcast interview with Gillian Keegan that I wrote about earlier this week, I said to her that I felt the government of which she was a member was doing things that even Margaret Thatcher woul... Continue

210. Is the Middle East sliding into a wider regional conflict?

Should there have been a vote on the UK airstrikes in Yemen? How has the Post Office scandal moved from activism to politics, and could there be another Conservative leader before the electio... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Sunak is no different from his predecessors

Where is the “integrity and accountability” the prime minister promised?... Continue

The perils of interviewing serving politicians

First of all, welcome to my new, or at least revamped, website. It was starting to look a bit old and tired, perhaps channelling how I tend to feel in January, so I asked for a little refresh. I must... Continue

55. Gillian Keegan: The future of British schools, union ‘barons’, and Sunak’s Rwanda battle

What's it like to be the Secretary of State for Education who left school at 17? How much power do unions really have in British politics? What's it like to become a Tory MP when your family ... Continue

209. Question Time: What happens when privatisation goes wrong?

Is it possible to be politically active as a civil servant? How did private finance initiatives contribute to the Post Office scandal? Is a transfer of power possible in Myanmar?Listen to Ro... Continue

208. History’s warning to Labour, the Post Office scandal, and Bangladesh’s battle for power

? Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅How should the fallout of the Post Office scandal ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Don’t let David Cameron off the hook

Rishi Sunak emulates Boris Johnson more than Cameron, but the foreign secretary is far from blameless... Continue