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.

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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.

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The New European

294. Labour’s defining moment and the next Tory leader

Is Labour planning austerity 2.0? Who is in the running to be the next Conservative leader? Should politics play a role at the Olympics? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and mor... Continue
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87. Nick Clegg: Biden, Brexit, and kicking Trump off Facebook (Part 2)

What is the legacy of the coalition government? How do American politicians compare to British? Do the leaders of Silicon Valley have more power than the leaders in Washington and Westminster... Continue
Leading

293. Trump’s Next Move

How will Donald Trump frame Kamala Harris as ‘dangerously liberal’? What has changed since the last time a woman ran for president? How will America look back on Joe Biden?Join Katty and ... Continue
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292. Question Time: China’s army in Europe, Just Stop Oil behind bars, and Andrew Tate

Where do you stand on Just Stop Oil protestors being sentenced? What could come of China’s military drills in Belarus? What drives young men towards Andrew Tate? Rory and Alastair answer al... Continue
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291. The Rise of Kamala Harris

How much do you really know about Kamala Harris? Why isn't Venezuela the Saudi Arabia of Latin America? Should we view Rwanda differently to other autocratic regimes?Join Rory and Alastair as... Continue
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Alastair Campbell’s diary: Biden’s long-awaited decision is game-changing

The ‘Trump can’t lose’ rhetoric now, at last, has some serious competition... Continue
The New European

290. JOE BIDEN DROPS OUT

What happens next as Joe Biden withdraws from the 2024 US presidential race? Should the Democrats have an open convention? Would Kamala Harris be able to take on Donald Trump? Rory and Alasta... Continue
The Rest Is Politics