25 Dec 2025
482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campaigner of the year?
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
22 Dec 2025
167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)From Parliament to Prison, how can people find calm in chaotic environments? How does one cope with grief during the festive period? What are some successful ways to combat depression?
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
157. Question Time: Knocking over Liz Truss, Oxbridge dominance, and life under the Taliban
Should MPs be able to vote electronically? Is Oxbridge as dominant as it used to be in British society? Are opinion polls just the junk food of political journalism?Join Rory and Alastair as ... Continue
156. Labour on the defensive, Machismo in Spain, and Israel on a knife-edge
What is the existential threat to democracy that's unfolding in Israel? Why is Labour on the policy defensive after defeat in Uxbridge? Is Spain now the most polarised country in Europe? Joi... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Vote tactically to get rid of the Tories
Only Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak can be PM after the next election. If you want to see the back of the Conservatives you need to vote Labour... Continue
28: Paul Nurse: The power of genetics, battling politicians, and the fight against cancer
How close are we to finding a cure for cancer? What did the government do wrong - in scientific terms - during the pandemic? Do Labour or the Tories have a proper plan to harness the power of... Continue
155. Sunak slides to defeat in Selby and Somerton
How happy should Labour be with Thursday's by-election results? Can Sunak take some solace from holding on in Uxbridge? Will these constituencies be Labour, Tory, and Lib Dem holds at the nex... Continue
154. Question Time: Ben Wallace, intellectual PMs, and the fight for the Israeli flag
Will Rory run for London Mayor next year? What will Ben Wallace's political legacy look like? Why are left and right fighting over the Israeli flag?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer the T... Continue
153. How radical would Labour be in power?
Would Keir Starmer be radical or conservative as prime minister? Is enough being done to combat the current heatwave affecting much of the world? What should we make of Kemi Badenoch's new tr... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The Tories’ silence on the climate crisis says it all
Across Europe, only Turkey has a higher respiratory death rate than the UK, but the government doesn’t appear to care... Continue