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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Some children from Richard Albion Primary School with Alastair Campbell

Politics – far too important to be left to the grown-ups!

Thank you to the pupils of Richard Alibon Primary School, which I left in rather better mood than I arrived this morning. In no particular order ... Trump ... The war in Ukraine ... Israel/Gaza ..... Continue
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58. Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon, independence, and his family’s escape from Gaza

What is the future of the independence debate in Scotland? How was it to work with Nicola Sturgeon? Have world leaders done enough to curb civilian deaths in Gaza?On today's episode of Leadin... Continue
Leading

215. Question Time: An election in May, combatting homelessness, and investigating think tanks

How are anonymous donors keeping Britain’s political parties afloat? Should the public know where think tanks get their funding from? How worried should we be about voter IDs?Join Rory and ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

214. Israel in court, attacks on American soldiers, and the problem with polling

What is the significance of the I.C.J. Ruling on Israel? How much control does Iran really have over its proxies? Should Labour brace itself for a sharp narrowing of the polls?Join Rory and A... Continue
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Alastair Campbell’s Diary: Israel must talk to Hamas

Everything is impossible, as Nelson Mandela liked to put it, until you make it happen... Continue
The New European

57. Tucker Eskew, spin doctor to George W. Bush and Sarah Palin: Why I’m voting Democrat

What does President Biden need to do to defeat Trump? What went wrong in Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign? Did Republican figures like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich pave the way for Tr... Continue
Leading

213. Question Time: Standing up to Netanyahu, why Starmer would work with Trump, and the differences between Sunni and Shia

Will the West come to terms with the idea that Netanyahu is not interested in a two state solution? Is 'populism' patronising? Would Starmer tread a fine line or stand up to Donald Trump?Join... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

212. Why Trump’s return wasn’t inevitable

How much do you know about the Russian propaganda forced on the population in occupied Ukraine? Where did it all go so wrong for Ron DeSantis? What on earth is going on in Germany with the fa... Continue
The Rest Is Politics