The Rest Is Politics

16 Feb 2026

501. Is Starmer Too Soft on Trump? Inside the Munich Security Conference

Why did Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'love bomb' Europe at the Munich Security Conference, and how did it compare to JD Vance's infamous 'enemy within' speech this time last year? Is Europe united enough in the face of Trump 2.0? Has Starmer failed to grasp the scale of the rupture posed by Trump's new world order, or is he trying to buy time?

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

16 Feb 2026

176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)

How does the former US Special Representative for Iran think US-Iranian relations will improve? Is there a method to Trump’s madness when it comes to foreign policy? Why does Robert believe the “two-state solution” for Israel and Palestine is dead?Alastair and Rory are joined by Robert Malley, architect of the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal, to answer all this and more.

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

139. BORIS JOHNSON RESIGNS

In an emergency podcast, Rory and Alastair react to the news that Boris Johnson is standing down as a Conservative MP with immediate effect after an investigation into the Partygate scandal f... Continue

138. Question Time: The Bullingdon Club, democracy vs. capitalism, and overcoming foot-and-mouth

Should Rory and Alastair switch allegiance to the Liberal Democrats? Why is there no happy news? What was handling the foot and mouth disease crisis like? Listen to Rory and Alastair answer t... Continue

137. Government taking itself to court, avoiding war with China, and Polish protests

Should the government be taking itself to court over the covid inquiry? Rory and Alastair disagree (just about) agreeably on this one. Also, how is the USA's attempt to create a bloc against ... Continue

21: Mary McAleese: Building bridges as the President of Ireland

For former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, the personal is the political. Growing up in Belfast with a deeply personal link to sectarian violence, her aim as President was to promote unit... Continue

136. Question Time: Johnson vs. Stewart, protests in Serbia, and are think tanks actually influential?

Did John Major lose in 1997, or did Tony Blair win? Would building on golf courses in London solve the housing crisis? How useful is the Freedom of Information Act? Hear the answers to these ... Continue

135. Spanish politics explained and a deep dive into AI

Artificial Intelligence: is it the future of humanity, or the beginning of the end? Rory and Alastair take a deep dive into the subject and the political complications of advancing technologi... Continue
Depressed young main on the edge of despair.

For every step forward on mental health, the government seem determined to take us two steps back

Four Prime Ministers ago, when Theresa May stood outside 10, Downing Street and promised to address "burning injustices" the fact that she included mental health among them suggested the issue was h... Continue

20: Jonathan Powell: How to negotiate with terrorists

The role of Downing Street Chief of Staff was created for him, and he was the only senior advisor to last the whole period of Tony Blair's premiership - but who is the real Jonathan Powell, a... Continue