The Rest Is Politics

2 Apr 2026

The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over

What is populism, and why is it so attractive to voters? Which human instincts do populists tap into to get votes? And what does a populist-led country look like?

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

6 Apr 2026

183. From Bradford to Westminster: Faith, Identity, and Power (Naz Shah)

How did Naz Shah’s experience growing up in Bradford and her experience with her family in the legal system influence her to go into politics? What does it mean for a political party to truly “stand for something” in modern Britain? How can faith influence politics in a secular society? Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour MP, Naz Shah, to discuss 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

152. The Power of Prigozhin

From a Siberian penal colony to the gold mines of the Central African Republic, who is Yevgeny Prigozhin and how did he become one of the most famous men in Russia today?Following Wagner's ... Continue

27: Feargal Sharkey: Teenage Kicks, Bobby Sands, and saving our rivers

Can we reverse the damage done to our polluted rivers and seas? What was it like to write Teenage Kicks? How has Brexit hamstrung the music industry?From punk singer to political activist, Fe... Continue

151. Question Time: Feargal Sharkey on water pollution, drug legalisation, and fishing

Is it too late to save our rivers? How should the government approach drug testing at festivals? Which political journalists were in attendance at George Osborne's wedding?Singer, environment... Continue

150. Sunak’s path to victory, Trump’s stance on Ukraine, and the future of Palestine

Is there any way that Sunak can win the next election? Would a second Trump presidency decisively change the course of the Ukraine conflict? What's the future of Palestine in the face of Neta... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The NHS deserves better than this Tory government

As Labour left office in 2010, the NHS had the highest satisfaction ratings in its history. Today, ratings and morale could barely be lower... Continue

26: Francis Fukuyama: Trump, Modi, and ‘The End of History’

What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of ... Continue

Mental health seemed to have been largely forgotten again in all the NHS celebrations. Time to refight a fight we thought was being won

So on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, what better way to spend it than by being part of a graduation ceremony in which several hundred medical students won the right to put the lette... Continue

149. Question Time: How to end a civil war, psychedelic treatments, and will the Orkney Islands join Norway?

Why are the Orkney islands looking to explore options around joining Norway? Are psychedelics the future of mental health treatment? Does the path to a Labour majority include winning over Na... Continue