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.

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119. Starmer’s most controversial move yet, the truth behind Vladimir Putin, and the Good Friday Agreement

Has Keir Starmer lost Labour the moral high ground after his attack on Rishi Sunak? What is Vladimir Putin really like behind closed doors? Will peace and power-sharing return to Northern I... Continue

13: Brian Cox: Succession, socialism, and Scotland

What do the Murdochs think of Succession? Should the SNP change its name? Why do some actors swear by method acting while others find it such an alien approach?Actor Brian Cox sits down with ... Continue

118. Question Time: Democracy under threat, rampant sewage, and campaign songs

Is the decline of local news destroying the fabric of our democracy? Should there be a cabinet position dealing with AI? Should private schools deal with Ofsted inspections too? Join Alastair... Continue

117. Trump’s indictment, Dover delays, and Sanna Marin loses

How will Donald Trump's arraignment unfold? What is happening at the border between the United Kingdom and France? What was the significance of King Charles' visit to Germany? Rory and Alasta... Continue

12: David Baddiel: God, Anti-Semitism and the Y-Word

How aware are you of anti-Semitism in Britain? Comedian and author David Baddiel tells Alastair and Rory about his family, his upbringing and his views on anti-Semitism in modern Britain.Inst... Continue

116. Question Time: Corbyn and Cummings, Cool Britannia, and Ofsted

What's the story about Cummings and Corbyn on the podcast? Should GB News be considered a news channel? How did Britpop and Cool Britannia affect the 1997 election result? Tune in to today's ... Continue

115. France on fire, fake Korean cash, and a new Scottish nationalism

Would Labour ever endorse Scottish independence? Why is France on fire? And how did Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng end up talking to a fake Korean consultancy firm?Sign up to the free TRIP w... Continue

11: Gary Lineker: Politics, football and the BBC

Gary Lineker is regularly told to 'stick to football'. Now, after recently tweeting his views on the Government’s refugee policy, the Match Of The Day presenter sits down with Alastair and ... Continue