How does a society defined by liberty and revolution become so easy to censor? Is polarisation something that has been done to us as an active political strategy or did we do this to ourselves? How did the Silicon Valley CEOs’ friction with their workers drive them towards camp MAGA? Alastair and Rory are joined by commentator and journalist Ezra Klein to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, e...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 129
Why do the wrong people become MPs? How can we transform Westminster into a modern day workplace? How did Simon Hart’s time at The Countryside Alliance inform his politics? Rory and Alastair are joined by the ex-Tory Chief Whip, Simon Hart, to discuss all this and more. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Video Editor: Josh Smit...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 128
Is this the end of democracy in the USA? Following the election of Trump, could democracy in America die? How did Moises Naim come up with his three p’s; Populism, Polarisation, and Post-truth? Alastair and Rory are joined by Moises Naim, journalist and former Venezuelan minister, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from d...
Mar 30, 2025•48 min•Ep. 127
What role does the UN play in the Occupied Palestinian territories? What is the responsibility of Western media when it comes to covering issues surrounding Israel and Palestine? How did Francesca Albanese’s Southern Italian heritage inform her passion for fighting injustice? Rory and Alastair are joined by Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Re...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 126
5 consecutive UK Prime Ministers have declared that the UK will become an AI Superpower, why is Keir Starmer any different? Why does no one have ‘big ideas’ anymore? And, how did Peter Kyle’s experience of grief shape the politician he is today? Rory and Alastair are joined by Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enj...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min
How did Michael Wolff manage to penetrate and expose Trump’s inner circle multiple times? Will the Murdoch empire survive the death of its Patriarch? Who’s really in charge in the White House? Rory and Alastair are joined by journalist and author, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles...
Mar 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 124
Why do both former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, and former Canadian deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, think they’re best placed to lead Canada? How will either take on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre if they win the Liberal party leadership elections on March 9th? What do they think about the ‘existential threat’ to Canada that is President Donald Trump? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ...
Mar 03, 2025•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 123
Are Trump and Putin carving up the world? How should the EU adapt to this new world? What imagination is needed on the political left? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 122
Why did Yulia’s husband, Alexei Navalny, return to Russia, knowing he’d be imprisoned? Is there any credible opposition to Putin left? What does the West get wrong about Putin’s Russia? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Questio...
Feb 17, 2025•57 min•Ep. 121
How did Ahmed al-Sharaa go from an imprisoned al-Qaeda fighter to the leader of Syria? What is the psychological impact of living a secret life for over twenty years? What is the future of Syria? Ahmed al-Sharaa joins Rory and Alastair to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to receive early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, enjoy ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, receive our exclusive newsletter, benefit from discount...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 120
How did Barack Obama become President? What was Hillary Clinton's huge mistake in 2016? How corrupt really is American politics today? Pod Save America host and former Barack Obama speechwriter, Tommy Veitor, joins Rory and Alastair to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the po...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 119
What’s the relationship between intelligence agencies and the politicians they serve? How does Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu react in a crisis? How confident should we be that the ceasefire will last? Alastair and Rory are joined by former Head of Mossad Intelligence and National Security Advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Arad, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 118
As the US retreats from the international stage, who is going to fill the gap? What will the ‘peace processes of the future’ look like? Who has more power, the tech giants or political leaders? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN, Tom Fletcher, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 117
How can AI help solve global problems such as poverty, hunger, and disease? Is there a hidden dark side to this new technology? What is in store for the future of artificial intelligence? Rory and Alastair are joined by Senior Vice President of Google, James Manyika, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book p...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 116
Why do some soldiers make bad politicians? What's the West doing wrong in terms of its policy towards the Ukraine War? How can Keir Starmer turn around the public perception of his Labour government? On today's episode of Leading Rory and Alastair are joined by Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence from 2019 to 2023. Tune in to hear the former Tory minister answers all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our excl...
Jan 06, 2025•2 hr 33 min•Ep. 115
How did Morgan’s upbringing as the daughter of a priest set her off on a path to become Welsh First Minister? What does a former member of the European Parliament think happened with Brexit? How has the devolved parliament tackled the NHS? Rory and Alastair are joined by the first minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and...
Dec 30, 2024•52 min•Ep. 114
What does Musk’s de-facto role as ‘co president’ say about the impact of Big Tech on the disintegration of the international order? How can we approach solving some of the world's biggest conflicts? Is there room for hope in an increasingly tense and fragmented world? Rory and Alastair are joined by American political scientist, Ian Bremmer, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, en...
Dec 23, 2024•59 min•Ep. 113
Does Bill Clinton feel that the current Israel-Hamas war could have been avoided if former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had accepted the peace deal in 2001? Does he regret allowing China to join the World Trade Organisation? Was Hillary Clinton unfairly attacked during her presidential campaign? And what is Putin going to do next? Rory and Alastair are joined by 42nd US President, Bill Clinton, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to suppor...
Dec 16, 2024•52 min•Ep. 112
What lessons on leadership does Angela Merkel have after 16 years served as Chancellor of Germany? Does she have any regrets from her tenure? What was it like being in East Germany when the Berlin wall fell? And what should Europe do to ensure the future security of Ukraine? Rory and Alastair are joined by ex-Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy a...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 111
As the last Governor of Hong Kong, what are Chris Patten's reflections on the city’s trajectory since the handover in 1997? How can the West improve it's relationship to China? What role does religion play in fostering a more compassionate society today? Rory and Alastair are joined by Lord Chris Patten to discuss all this and much more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leadi...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 110
Should assisted dying be legalised? How did the murder of her sister, Jo Cox, impact British politics? Why is the job of an MP so difficult? Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater to discuss all this, and more. When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to suppor...
Nov 25, 2024•54 min•Ep. 109
What was it like entering Parliament as the youngest MP? How has the SNP’s approach to campaigning for Scottish independence changed since the 2014 referendum? What does the future hold for the SNP and Scotland's relationship with the rest of the UK? Rory and Alastair are joined by former MP Mhairi Black to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, ...
Nov 18, 2024•54 min•Ep. 108
Was the surge in Iraq a success for the United States? How critical are alliances to maintaining global stability? How can leaders maintain resilience and integrity in the face of public scrutiny? Rory and Alastair are joined by General David Petraeus, ex-CIA Director and United States Army general during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 107
What do Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and Washington DC all have in common? Why has Donald Trump made the impact he has in the US? What was Sam Bankman-Fried really like to work alongside? Rory and Alastair are joined by the writer of Moneyball and The Big Short to answer all these questions and more. Join us on Election Night Get ready for in-depth, real-time analysis as we go live throughout election night on November 5th. Watch here. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to s...
Nov 04, 2024•56 min•Ep. 106
What is it like to negotiate with terrorists? Will peace ever be possible in the Middle East? How did the Good Friday Agreement come to pass? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by American politician, diplomat and lawyer George Mitchell, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 105
What can European history teach us about the potential outcome of conflicts around the world? What effect will the results of the US election have on Ukraine? Will America always be a democracy? Rory and Alastair are joined by esteemed historian and author Timothy Snyder to discuss all this and much more. You can purchase Timothy's new book On Freedom here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460254/on-freedom-by-snyder-timothy/9781847928054 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 104
What does the Archbishop of Canterbury suggest for bridging divides in conflict zones? What are the Church doing about declining spirituality? How was it leading the country through the death of the Queen and the coronation of the King? Rory and Alastair are joined by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both T...
Oct 20, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 103
How does militant socialism compare to Corbynism? How did Labour’s ‘remain’ campaign go so wrong? And what should Labour be doing about immigration? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by long-serving Labour minister, Alan Johnson, to discuss all this and more Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Assistant Producer: India Dunkley Video Editor: Teo Ayodeji-Ansell Social Producer: Jess Kidson Producer: Nicole Maslen and Fiona D...
Oct 13, 2024•43 min•Ep. 102
How much have the “bleak” post-war years shaped modern Britain? How did growing up parentless and in poverty inspire Alan Johnson’s life choices? And, is Alastair right, could he have been prime ministerial material? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by long-serving Labour minister, Alan Johnson, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both T...
Oct 06, 2024•46 min•Ep. 101
What constitutes an autocratic state? How did populism come to dominate global politics from 2012-2014? When and how will the war in Ukraine end? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by American-Polish journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on tit...
Sep 29, 2024•51 min•Ep. 100
