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

275. Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?

What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci for their instant reacti... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

275. TRIP US: Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?

What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci for their instant reacti... Continue
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82. Wes Streeting: Labour, privatisation, and the NHS

Could privatising areas of the NHS save it? How easy is it to reconcile one's faith and sexuality? What is Labour's plan for health and social care?Rory and Alastair are joined by the Shadow ... Continue
Leading

274. Sunak vs Starmer: The Final Showdown

Who won the final leadership debate? Did Rishi Sunak's more aggressive tactics pay dividends? What will Team Starmer make of his performance in Nottingham?Join Rory and Alastair for the audio... Continue
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273. Question Time: Julian Assange, firing your friends, and why Labour should raise taxes

***TRIP post debate livestream - 9.30pm - Wednesday June 26th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya1K0WSvOAk***How will history remember Julian Assange? Why is Britain’s tax burden so high? D... Continue
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Alastair Campbell’s election diary: The Conservatives deserve a superdefeat

What the Tories mean by a ‘supermajority’ is that they are set to lose really, really badly on July 4. Good... Continue
The New European

272. Sunak’s betting scandal, Farage in trouble, and will Rory vote Green?

How damaging is the election betting scandal for the Tories? Do Reform UK have a women problem? Is Emmanuel Macron facing electoral oblivion?Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell for the la... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

81. Alex Chalk, Lord Chancellor: How to fix Britain’s prisons

What are the powers of the Lord Chancellor? How important are friendships in politics? What needs to change to solve the prison crisis in the UK?Rory and Alastair are joined by Lord Chancello... Continue
Leading