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

86. Nick Clegg: Coalition, Cameron, and Chaos (Part 1)

What closed-doors conversations led to the 2010 coalition? What were the coalition years like? How did it all go wrong for the Liberal Democrats in 2015? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nick ... Continue

289. The Week Trump Won?

What does Trump’s new running mate mean for the direction of the Republican Party? Have the Democrats given up on a 2024 win? Is there anything now that can stand in Trump’s way?Join Katt... Continue

289. TRIP US: The Week Trump Won?

What does Trump’s new running mate mean for the direction of the Republican Party? Have the Democrats given up on a 2024 win? Is there anything now that can stand in Trump’s way?Join Katt... Continue

288. Is Labour’s King’s Speech bold enough?

What legislation did Keir Starmer's government put forward in the state opening of Parliament? Do the bills go far enough? Where does Labour go from here? Alastair is joined by Robert Peston ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Erdoğan’s hold could be weakening

Despite the president’s propaganda machine, Turkish people appear confident that their democracy is strong enough to vote him out of office... Continue

287. Trump’s VP, Labour vs. China, and the King’s Speech

How has a man who once called Trump ‘America’s Hilter’ now become his running mate? What does a Labour government mean for UK-China relations? Will China define how Gaza will be governe... Continue

85. Lisa Nandy: Making Britain a cultural superpower

What responsibilities will Lisa Nandy take on as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport? Why was this the most toxic election campaign she has fought? How has the importance... Continue

286. Trump Assassination Attempt: The Aftermath

Will the Trump rally shooting change the course of the US election? Are we entering an era of further political violence and polarisation? What goes on behind the scenes in the secret service... Continue