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

268. The Tories’ ‘taxtopia’ attack, Macron’s gamble, and the politics of football

How worried should Labour be about voter apathy? What is 'taxtopia'? Why is Liz Truss being brought up in the French election?Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell for the latest episode of... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

80. Bridget Phillipson: Can we save Britain’s schools?

Is there a class system in the UK? What is the State's role in redistributing wealth in society? How did Jeremy Corbyn's leadership impact Red Wall voters? Shadow Secretary of State for Educa... Continue
Leading

79. Nadhim Zahawi: Iraq, Conservatism, and why he backed Boris Johnson

What does the former Chancellor make of the current Conservative election campaign? What was his experience escaping Saddam Hussein's Iraq? And does he stand by his support of Boris Johnson a... Continue
Leading

267. If Trump wins, what actually happens to America?

From killing wild horses to banning the abortion pill, join Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay as they take a deep dive into Project 2025 - the very long MAGA wish list, on today's episode of T... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

267. TRIP US: If Trump wins, what actually happens to America?

From killing wild horses to banning the abortion pill, join Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay as they take a deep dive into Project 2025 - the very long MAGA wish list, on today's episode of T... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

266. Labour vs Conservatives: What do their manifestos reveal?

How do the Labour and Conservative party manifestos compare? What are the key policies that will swing votes? What are the Greens and Liberal Democrats proposing in their manifestos? Join Ror... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

265. Starmer vs Sunak – Round 2: Who won ‘The Battle For Number 10’?

Rory and Alastair give their immediate reaction to the Sky News leaders event. Who won, and, more importantly, will it have changed anyone’s vote? Plus, how would Rory and Alastair have ans... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s election diary: Sunak’s D-day disaster will define his campaign

Are Sunak’s advisers so politically inept that they could not see the enormity of the own goal they were about to score?... Continue
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