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

200. The Israeli settler movement, Ukraine blockaded, and Putin’s perpetual power

? Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅Is the West moving to a more critical place concern... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The remarkable Glenys Kinnock

The Kinnock family and the Labour party have lost a matriarch... Continue

50. Angela Rayner: From zero GCSEs to Britain’s most powerful woman?

Could Labour still lose the next election? What really went wrong under Jeremy Corbyn? What do the left actually think of the right?Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour's Deputy Leader, Ang... Continue

199. Question Time: Why the infected blood scandal still haunts today’s politics

How uncomfortable are the left with Starmer’s praise of Margaret Thatcher? Does Sunak’s stance on legal migration undermine British universities? What’s next for George Santos?Join Alas... Continue

198. King Charles on the world stage, Argentina’s Brexit, and the real Henry Kissinger

How did King Charles perform at COP? Is Milei more Reagan than Trump? Who was the real Henry Kissinger?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on today's episode of The Rest I... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Farewell Glenys Kinnock and Alistair Darling

Their passing has marked a sad week for the entire Labour family... Continue

49. Christiana Figueres: COP28, Costa Rica, and surviving the climate crisis

How do countries cooperate to tackle the climate emergency? Is it unusual for the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in the oil rich UAE? What does the future hold for renewa... Continue

My friend Alistair Darling

He was a better politician than he ever knew... Continue