The Rest Is Politics

25 Dec 2025

482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025

What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campaigner of the year?

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

22 Dec 2025

167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)

From Parliament to Prison, how can people find calm in chaotic environments? How does one cope with grief during the festive period? What are some successful ways to combat depression?

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

185. Global perceptions of Israel-Gaza, Labour-Lib Dem bad blood, and Chinese economic crisis

Would an Israeli ground invasion shift international perceptions of the conflict? Why is Labour unhappy with the Lib Dems? Is China teetering on the brink of economic chaos?🌏 Get our exclu... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The uplifting school which would take Farage to his breaking point

An academy where 85% of pupils have English as a second language found engaged, informed children with high aspirations and plenty of questions... Continue

41. Reid Hoffman: Bankrolling Biden to beat Trump, the “PayPal Mafia”, and Musk’s messiah complex

How does life in Silicon Valley compare to the United Kingdom? What was it like working with Elon Musk and Peter Thiel starting PayPal? Is the future of AI as bleak as it seems?Rory and Alast... Continue

184. Question Time: Why Britain Needs Shorter Prison Sentences

How do we solve the prisons crisis in the UK? Will Johnson and Sunak face charges for their lack of cooperation with the Covid inquiry? Should the Liberal Democrats run their campaign on rejo... Continue

183. Israel-Gaza: What Happens Next

What is the next stage in the war between Israel and Hamas? How important is Joe Biden's impending visit? Is it possible to be both victim and oppressor?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: What Yuval Noah Harari can teach us about Israel and Gaza

Harari believes prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu should accept responsibility, vow to see the crisis through, and then go... Continue

182. Palestine, Gaza, and Israel

What's it like to live in Gaza? What are the key differences between the PLO, the PA, Fatah and Hamas? How far away are we from the diplomatic high point of the Oslo Accords?On today's episod... Continue

40. Minette Batters: The Most Powerful Farmer in Britain

70% of British land is agricultural - yet we don't speak about farming much. What is the politics of the UK's farming industry? How has Brexit affected British produce and trade? And what is ... Continue