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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Should we start building on the Green Belt? Is there a fun side to politics? Why don't ministers resign anymore without being pushed?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all this and mor...
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133. Suella’s speeding, Japan in focus, and what’s the point of the G7?
How was the G7 formed, and what is the point of it today? What will the consequences be for Suella Braverman following her speeding scandal? How does religion influence politics?Join Alastair... Continue
19: Leo Varadkar: Ireland’s Taoiseach on NATO, China, and Joe Biden
How does the Irish Taoiseach feel about Brexit? Would Leo Varadkar consider himself a Tory in the English parliamentary system? Does Ireland have a problem with alcohol?Leo Varadkar speaks to... Continue
Have you heard? Alastair has written a book! 'But What Can I Do?' is out now.As a Friday bonus, here's an extract from the audiobook version for you to enjoy.To hear the whole audiobook, you ...
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132. Question Time: How to reform prisons, Macron vs. Clinton, and what is the Privy Council?
Was Hillary Clinton arrogant in her comments about Emmanuel Macron? What's the best way to reform UK prisons? How much do you know about sporrans?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all... Continue
131. Erdoğan fights on, ‘Clause IV on steroids’, and the fall of military rule
What next for Turkey? How does Starmer aim to reform Labour? Why should we be paying attention to events in Thailand?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all this and more on today's epi... Continue
18: George Osborne: Austerity, Boris Johnson, and the UK’s next Prime Minister
Does George Osborne regret leaving politics? Does he think Sunak can win the next general election? What did he admire about New Labour, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown?Tune in to today's episod... Continue
SPEECH TONIGHT: ‘What one generation does, the next can undo’
I am making a speech this evening, in memory of Julian Priestley, a lovely man who served as general secretary of the European Parliament from 1997-2007, and who sadly died aged just 66, in 2016. The... Continue