The Rest Is Politics

1 Oct 2026

576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern Ireland

As Trump becomes the first American president to personally welcome a visiting head of state off a plane since JFK greeted Harold Macmillan in 1962, did his summit with President Xi signal improving US-China relations, or does Xi have his counterpart in an economic chokehold? With the standoff between protesters and members of the pro-British Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland showing no sign of resolution, is the region's fragile peace in danger of unravelling? And as violence erupts in Ethiopia, is Africa's second most populous country on the brink of civil war – and does it risk dragging other regional actors into a wider conflict spanning the Horn of Africa and the Gulf?

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.

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Leading

28 Sep 2026

208. Mustafa Suleyman: Is AI Actually Conscious?

Can Artificial Intelligence stay subordinate? Is Anthropic’s 100-Page constitution creating dangerous AI autonomy? Should AI models be granted legal personhood, rights, or financial compensation?

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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Latest

281. How one night transformed British politics

What happens now? How radical will Starmer’s Labour be in government? Would a change of the voting system only further strengthen the far right?In the first episode of Keir Starmer’s prem... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

280. Starmer’s Labour Landslide – 3:30am update

What should we make of Labour’s landslide election win? How big a force can Reform UK become in UK politics? Where next for the Tory Party?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

279. The Day Britain Decides

What do politicians actually do on polling day? How does it feel to hear you’re the next prime minister? Should we care that The Sun has backed Labour?In the final episode of The Rest Is Po... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

278. Question Time: How reliable are the polls?

What happens at Number 10 when there is a change of government? Are polls a help or hinderance to the parties pre-election day? What are the benefits of Joe Biden staying on as Presidential n... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Britain deserves a change in government

Meanwhile, in Newark, Robert Jenrick appears to fancy himself as future Tory leader... Continue
The New European

277. What stands in the way of a Labour landslide?

Which party has had the most effective campaign? Is there any way out for Macron in his fight against the far right and far left? Why are the Democrats closing rank over Joe Biden?Join Rory a... Continue
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83. The Man Who Ran Downing Street

What are prime ministers really like behind closed doors? How do you become Britain’s most powerful civil servant? Are special advisors a force for good or ill?On today’s episode of Leadi... Continue
Leading

276. Why Joe Biden must step down

"Last night was a game changer. And the change that now has to come is to produce another game changer, which is a new Democratic candidate."In an emergency episode of The Rest Is Politics, R... Continue
The Rest Is Politics