21 Aug 2025
440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist PartyWhy do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much?
The Rest Is Politics
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
18 Aug 2025
149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1)What is the difference between class distinctions in Scotland and the rest of the UK? How did Nicola Sturgeon's childhood in Scotland inform her politics? What was Margaret Thatcher's influence on Nicola's career?
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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In an emergency podcast, Rory and Alastair react to the news that Boris Johnson is standing down as a Conservative MP with immediate effect after an investigation into the Partygate scandal f...
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138. Question Time: The Bullingdon Club, democracy vs. capitalism, and overcoming foot-and-mouth
Should Rory and Alastair switch allegiance to the Liberal Democrats? Why is there no happy news? What was handling the foot and mouth disease crisis like? Listen to Rory and Alastair answer t... Continue
137. Government taking itself to court, avoiding war with China, and Polish protests
Should the government be taking itself to court over the covid inquiry? Rory and Alastair disagree (just about) agreeably on this one. Also, how is the USA's attempt to create a bloc against ... Continue
21: Mary McAleese: Building bridges as the President of Ireland
For former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, the personal is the political. Growing up in Belfast with a deeply personal link to sectarian violence, her aim as President was to promote unit... Continue
Did John Major lose in 1997, or did Tony Blair win? Would building on golf courses in London solve the housing crisis? How useful is the Freedom of Information Act? Hear the answers to these ...
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135. Spanish politics explained and a deep dive into AI
Artificial Intelligence: is it the future of humanity, or the beginning of the end? Rory and Alastair take a deep dive into the subject and the political complications of advancing technologi... Continue
For every step forward on mental health, the government seem determined to take us two steps back
Four Prime Ministers ago, when Theresa May stood outside 10, Downing Street and promised to address "burning injustices" the fact that she included mental health among them suggested the issue was h... Continue
20: Jonathan Powell: How to negotiate with terrorists
The role of Downing Street Chief of Staff was created for him, and he was the only senior advisor to last the whole period of Tony Blair's premiership - but who is the real Jonathan Powell, a... Continue