The Rest Is Politics

7 Aug 2025

435. Question Time: The Migrant Return Plan, Colombia’s Drug Cartels, and Will Rory Join Corbyn’s New Party?

Can Starmer’s deal with Macron really fix the Channel crisis? Is Colombia’s fragile peace falling apart amid a booming drug trade? And, could AI replace mental health support lines? 

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

4 Aug 2025

146. The Rise and Fall of The Conservative Party: Jeremy Hunt (Part 1)

How did Jeremy Hunt lose the Conservative leadership race to Boris Johnson? What does the longest serving Health Minister think will fix the NHS? What does Jeremy Hunt really think of Kemi Badenoch’s leadership? 

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

134. Palestine’s Most Popular Politician: Marwan Barghouti’s Son on Occupation, Resistance, and Hope

Who, instead of Hamas, could represent a peaceful Palestinian leadership? Why does Marwan Barghouti remain the most popular leader in Palestine despite being in jail for over 20 years, a peri... Continue

404. Question Time: How Starmer Fell Into Farage’s Immigration Trap

What message is the new pope sending to Trump? To what extent are the USAID cuts killing children? And, did Rory “get it wrong” on water nationalisation?  Join Rory and Alastair as they... Continue

403. Trump’s Gulf Billions: Saudi, Sanctions, and Ceasefires

From a $400m plane to starvation in Gaza, who will benefit from Trump’s big Gulf visit? Who really brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan? Can Zelensky and Ukraine survive on hal... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The Pope vs JD Vance

Robert Prevost may have been born American, but his experience, views and values are as far from Trumpian as were his predecessor’s... Continue

133. Trump vs. Europe: Flattery, Pushback, and Powerplays (Congressman Jim Himes)

Will Europe ever trust the US again? What is the future of the Democratic party? What does the signal chat leak tell us about the psychology of the Trump administration?  TRIP Plus: Become... Continue

402. Question Time: India vs. Pakistan | What Happens Now?

Should Labour boot Tony Blair over his attack on the government's climate policy? Why is the U.S. defending Germany’s AfD? Are Britain’s towns and cities more politically split than ever?... Continue

401. Trump’s Corruption Machine, Israeli Settlers, and the Rise of Reform UK

How has Donald Trump transformed his political power into a money-making machine, and what does it mean for American democracy? How did Israel's settler movement shift from the extremist frin... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Labour can’t beat Farage at his own game

Don’t fight him where he is strong, fight him where he is weak – the economy, the NHS, Putin, Trump, climate, and yes, Brexit... Continue