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.
Latest
114. Question Time: Banks in crisis, Imran Khan, and Blair on The Simpsons
Could Labour inherit a junior doctor problem? What can be done about the rising costs of childcare? And what do Rory and Alastair really see in each other? Rory and Alastair answer all these ... Continue
113. Iraq: the fallout, Scotland at a crossroads, and ‘sneaky beakies’
In a week where we've had bank bailouts and a meeting where Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping hinted at a dangerous anti-western alliance, is there much to feel positive about? Join Rory and Alas... Continue
10: Rahima Mahmut: The Uyghur Genocide
How much do you know about what's happening to the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China?Alastair is joined by Rahima Mahmut, an Uyghur artist, activist, and the chair of 'Stop Uyghur Genocide' to explo... Continue
It's 20 years since the invasion of Iraq - but what is its legacy?Tony Blair said to Parliament in March 2003 that what happened in Iraq would ‘determine the pattern of international politi...
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20 years on from the invasion of Iraq, Rory speaks to Alastair about the build up, aftermath, and legacy of the event.The second episode in this series, 'Iraq: The Legacy', will be released t...
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9: Bernie Sanders: A fight for equality
Longest serving independent Senator of the United States Bernie Sanders has spent his life fighting for the rights of working people. Today, he joins Rory and Alastair to discuss income inequ... Continue
110. Gary Lineker, BBC in crisis, and small boats
After an extraordinary and bizarre week where a tweet from Gary Lineker led to a crisis at the national broadcaster, Rory and Alastair try to make sense of the BBC’s handling of the situati... Continue
109. Question Time: Powerful speeches, population control and Isabel Oakeshott
What is the best speech Rory and Alastair have ever heard? Why is the cabinet so big? Would you rather trust Isabel Oakeshott or Xi Jinping with your phone? Rory and Alastair answer all these... Continue