The Rest Is Politics

23 Apr 2026

525. JD Vance vs. the Pope and the Far-Right Funding Machine (Question Time)

Why do Trump and JD Vance keep arguing with the Pope about theology? Who is funding the British and European far-right? As nationalism grows in Scotland and Wales, did devolution make this inevitable?

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

20 Apr 2026

185. Can Labour Win Back Scotland? (Anas Sarwar)

Does the Leader of Scottish Labour regret calling for Keir Starmer to resign over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador? In the upcoming election, would he consider putting Scottish Labour into a coalition with the Reform Party to defeat the SNP? How does he plan to tackle the rise of Islamophobia and the politics of despair that are increasingly gripping Scotland and the UK?

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

66. Antony Gormley: Art, religion, and the battle for culture

Can Britain remain a cultural superpower post-Brexit? How does religion and philosophy inform creativity? How can we prevent arts from being cut from curriculums? Rory and Alastair are joined... Continue

230. Question Time: £91,000… Should MPs be paid more?

Why do so few people know who the Lib Dem leader is? Should the arts feature more prominently in school curriculums? What are freeports and should we be concerned about them?Rory and Alastair... Continue

229. Putin’s sham election, Sunak under threat, and the rift between France and Germany

Who would Putin’s successor be? Could the Conservatives change leader again? Why is the Franco-German relationship deteriorating?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on t... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Keir Starmer is better suited to government than opposition

Tom Baldwin’s biography of the Labour leader suggests we will see a return to serious politics if Starmer makes it to No 10... Continue

65. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo: Vladimir Putin, surviving prison, and Serbia

How did peace come to the Balkans? What was it like to be a political prisoner? Is Serbia more allied with the West, or with Putin?Rory and Alastair are joined by the Prime Minister of Kosovo... Continue

228. Question Time: The legacy of Theresa May, abolishing National Insurance, and Sweden joins NATO

What will Theresa May be remembered for as PM? Who are the best and worst prime ministers of the post-war era? What is the significance of Sweden becoming the latest European country to join ... Continue

227. Biden’s aid port in Gaza, Tory defection to Reform, and a mole at the top of the IRA

Are we witnessing a Biden resurgence after his State of the Union address? Will Tory MPs follow Lee Anderson to Reform UK? Who was the double agent at the top of the IRA?Join Rory and Alastai... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Isaac Levido’s tactics have lost their shine

The old tactics of wedge politics, dog-whistling and dead cats are not working quite as well as they once did... Continue