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

5 Oct 2026

209. Shabana Mahmood: Palestine Action, Faith and What I Told Starmer

Is the government's ban on Palestine Action lawful, or overreaching? Why can't Britain just send small boats straight back to France? Can faith and public duty coexist in modern British politics?

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

251. The Infected Blood Scandal

Could the bill for the infected blood scandal fall on Labour? What makes politics so bad for mental health? Could Benjamin Netanyahu be arrested for war crimes?Join Rory and Alastair as they ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: One school’s lesson in hope

It would take a lot more than a change in government to turn around the lives of some of the pupils at The Heath – but it would be a start... Continue
The New European

74. Kwasi Kwarteng: Liz Truss, becoming Chancellor, and Britain on the brink (Part 2)

Why did the Tory Party choose to make Liz Truss and Boris Johnson prime minister? How does it feel to be the second shortest-serving chancellor in post-war history? What was the true thinking... Continue
Leading

250. Why Trump won’t go to jail

What was it like to visit Michael Cohen behind bars? Why is it almost impossible for Trump to go to jail? How many good working hours does Joe Biden have a day?Join Anthony and Katty for epis... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

250. TRIP US: Why Trump won’t go to jail

What was it like to visit Michael Cohen behind bars? Why is it almost impossible for Trump to go to jail? How many good working hours does Joe Biden have a day?Join Anthony and Katty for epis... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

249. Question Time: Political honeymoons – how quickly could the public turn on Keir Starmer?

Are we sleepwalking into a crisis that could totally overwhelm our prisons? Why is the South West often forgotten in politics? Why do political honeymoons often come to such abrupt endings? A... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

248. Battle lines are drawn: defections, defence, and David Gauke

What is Rishi Sunak’s plan to win back voters? Why has Putin removed his ally as Russia’s defence minister? Has Labour’s embrace of a defecting Tory MP backfired? This week, Alastair is... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Britain’s mental health crisis is real – but Sunak doesn’t care

The prime minister's 'sicknote culture' wrongly blames the mentally ill for the country's economic problems... Continue
The New European