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

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Parliament’s lessons from the Commons Gaza vote

An issue as serious as the Israel-Gaza war got lost in arcane parliamentary semantics... Continue

61. James Rubin: Working for Biden, American intervention, and the fight against Russian disinformation

“You took me to one side and said be very, very careful of these people, these neo-cons. Because they’re going to use this to do all sorts of stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.”... Continue

222. Question Time: Banning phones in schools and parliament, citizens’ assemblies, and American isolationism

Should mobiles be banned from schools and the House of Commons? What is Labour's grand plan for citizens' assemblies really about? Is there growing Russian influence in Britain?Join Rory and ... Continue

221. The Killing of Alexei Navalny

What happened at the Munich Security Conference? Will Putin ever be held accountable? How will Trump fund his legal problems and a presidential campaign?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The prime minister is sunk

I'm starting to think the Tories are heading back, not a day too soon, into opposition... Continue

60. Anthony Scaramucci: What it’s like to be Donald Trump’s Communications Director

Would a second Trump presidency be far more right wing? What drives the former US president? Is he trying to do a deal with Taylor Swift?In this week's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair a... Continue

220. Sunak’s by-election disaster, Reform UK gains momentum, and political crisis in Rochdale

Will the rise of Reform UK be the downfall of the Conservatives? How consequential are Labour's by-election victories? Who will win in Rochdale?Join Rory and Alastair for an impromptu Friday ... Continue

219. Question Time: Vladimir Putin’s strategy, Labour’s selection headache, and VAT on private schools

Will Azhar Ali still stand as a Labour candidate in the Rochdale by-election? How revealing was Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin? Why do politicians seem to see apologising as a... Continue