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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Latest

51. Tim Peake: Will humans colonise Mars?

What is the future of human space exploration? Will people live on Mars in our life time? Are there plans to grow human organs on the moon?British astronaut Tim Peake joins Rory and Alastair ... Continue
Leading

My eulogy to Glenys Kinnock: a great woman, a true friend

A sad day; and a sad week for the Labour family. On Tuesday, Tony Blair led the tributes at the memorial for Alan Haworth and Maggie Rae, who both died recently, within a few weeks of each other.... Continue
Event Post

201. Question Time: Could the Tories remove Rishi Sunak?

? Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅Could Nigel Farage be the next Conservative Party ... Continue
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200. The Israeli settler movement, Ukraine blockaded, and Putin’s perpetual power

? Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅Is the West moving to a more critical place concern... Continue
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Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The remarkable Glenys Kinnock

The Kinnock family and the Labour party have lost a matriarch... Continue
The New European

50. Angela Rayner: From zero GCSEs to Britain’s most powerful woman?

Could Labour still lose the next election? What really went wrong under Jeremy Corbyn? What do the left actually think of the right?Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour's Deputy Leader, Ang... Continue
Leading

199. Question Time: Why the infected blood scandal still haunts today’s politics

How uncomfortable are the left with Starmer’s praise of Margaret Thatcher? Does Sunak’s stance on legal migration undermine British universities? What’s next for George Santos?Join Alas... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

198. King Charles on the world stage, Argentina’s Brexit, and the real Henry Kissinger

How did King Charles perform at COP? Is Milei more Reagan than Trump? Who was the real Henry Kissinger?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on today's episode of The Rest I... Continue
The Rest Is Politics