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•44 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•49 min•Ep. 100
What was the rivalry between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown really about? How easy is it to find work as an ex-politician? What can the Labour Party do going forward to strengthen the UK's relationship with the EU? Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour minister, Douglas Alexander, 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 dis...
Sep 22, 2024•59 min•Ep. 99
Who is going to win the 2024 election? What is the relationship between playing professional poker and betting on politics? Why has Elon Musk endorsed Donald Trump? Alastair and Rory are joined by legendary forecaster, Nate Silver, 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 pod...
Sep 15, 2024•51 min•Ep. 98
Is technology destroying democracy, or can it be used to strengthen it? How did Taiwan improve public trust in politicians by 60%? Could the NHS be transformed by digital consultations for the better? The world's first digital minister, Audrey Tang, joins Rory and Alastair 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 price...
Sep 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 97
Can a pollster be apolitical? What issues are the American people most interested in Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tackling? How can politicians communicate their message most effectively? Rory and Alastair are joined by pollster and advisor Frank Luntz 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 titl...
Sep 01, 2024•57 min•Ep. 96
What did a Trump supporter make of the Democratic National Convention? Does Donald Trump have any friends? What message did the DNC send to those who don't support Kamala Harris? Alastair is joined by CNN correspondent and Trump supporter, David Urban, 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...
Aug 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 95
What does a State Senator do? What is the difference in the energy at the DNC now the nominee is Kamala Harris, not Joe Biden? How do politicians become delegates? Rory and Alastair are joined by member of Connecticut's Congress, Josh Elliot, 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...
Aug 25, 2024•19 min•Ep. 94
What is the role of a member of Congress? How much do campaigns in the United States really cost? Is campaigning as a member of Congress wildly different to campaigning as an MP? Rory and Alastair are joined by veteran Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro at the DNC in Chicago 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...
Aug 24, 2024•22 min•Ep. 93
What is the role of a delegate at a convention? Why is focusing on the negative the best way to campaign? Is Tim Walz the right choice to help Kamala Harris win? Rory and Alastair are joined by Democratic Party strategist and super-delegate Bob Mulholland in Chicago 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 ti...
Aug 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 92
What goes on behind the scenes of campaign polling? When did American campaigns stop focusing on policy and become all about themes? How do parties use polls to change their tactics? Rory and Alastair are joined at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago by John Anzalone 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 p...
Aug 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 91
Are donations the biggest evil in politics? Should children be banned from social media entirely? How much does Australia look to the UK in 2024? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia, to answer 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 mention...
Aug 18, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 90
Does David Davis still think Brexit has been a success? Was he wrong on gay marriage and the death penalty? Is meritocracy in Britain now a thing of the past? Alastair and Rory are joined by former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Davis Davis, 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 ...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 89
What was George W Bush like behind closed doors? Why did Trump really choose ‘never-Trump guy’ JD Vance as his running mate? How can Kamala Harris win the election? Rory and Alastair are joined by George W Bush's former speech writer and political commentator David Frum 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 o...
Aug 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 88
What is the legacy of the coalition government? How do American politicians compare to British? Do the leaders of Silicon Valley have more power than the leaders in Washington and Westminster? Nick Clegg joins Rory and Alastair for the second instalment of this two part interview. 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 ...
Jul 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 87
What closed-doors conversations led to the 2010 coalition? What were the coalition years like? How did it all go wrong for the Liberal Democrats in 2015? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nick Clegg to discuss all this and more. If you'd like to hear the second episode RIGHT NOW, it's already available to members of The Rest Is Politics Plus - sign up at therestispolitics.com . If you're not a member, it will be released next Monday (29th July) on the public feed. TRIP ELECTION TOUR: To buy ticket...
Jul 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 86
What responsibilities will Lisa Nandy take on as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport? Why was this the most toxic election campaign she has fought? How has the importance of Britain's soft power evolved post-Brexit? Rory and Alastair are joined by Lisa Nandy 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...
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 85
How can we unite the extreme right and extreme left? What impact can small countries have on global politics? How was the former Danish Prime Minister influenced by New Labour? Rory and Alastair are joined by Denmark's former Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, 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...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 84
What are prime ministers really like behind closed doors? How do you become Britain’s most powerful civil servant? Are special advisors a force for good or ill? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Gus O’Donnell, the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service, 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, b...
Jun 30, 2024•55 min•Ep. 83
Could privatising areas of the NHS save it? How easy is it to reconcile one's faith and sexuality? What is Labour's plan for health and social care? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, 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 mentione...
Jun 27, 2024•59 min•Ep. 82
What are the powers of the Lord Chancellor? How important are friendships in politics? What needs to change to solve the prison crisis in the UK? Rory and Alastair are joined by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk 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...
Jun 23, 2024•59 min•Ep. 81
Is there a class system in the UK? What is the State's role in redistributing wealth in society? How did Jeremy Corbyn's leadership impact Red Wall voters? Shadow Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson 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 ...
Jun 16, 2024•57 min•Ep. 80
What does the former Chancellor make of the current Conservative election campaign? What was his experience escaping Saddam Hussein's Iraq? And does he stand by his support of Boris Johnson and Brexit? Nadhim Zahawi joins Rory and Alastair to answer all these questions and more on today's episode of Leading. 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...
Jun 13, 2024•49 min•Ep. 79
What challenges did David Blunkett face as Home Secretary following 9/11? Does he have any regrets relating to his crime and punishment policies? What does the future look like for Keir Starmer's Labour Party? Rory and Alastair discuss all these issues and more in the final instalment of our interview series with David Blunkett. 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, benef...
Jun 09, 2024•53 min•Ep. 78
How did the loss of industry in the 1980s affect David Blunkett's politics? What was his experience growing up blind in Sheffield? How did Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair compare? Rory and Alastair are joined by David Blunkett to discuss all this and more in the first part of this double-header special. 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 o...
Jun 02, 2024•47 min•Ep. 77
Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the reputation they deserve. Should Nina Simone’s role in the civil rights movement be more celebrated than it is? When you find out what Picasso got up to in his studio, can you still admire his art? And in their most recent series, they take a look at Margaret Thatcher. Was the Iron Lady an inspirational figure, or the architect of a broken Britai...
May 31, 2024•6 min
How would an incoming Labour government fund the NHS? How does Reeves and Starmer's relationship compare to Blair and Brown? What is the experience of being a woman in the world of banking and politics? Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves joins Rory and Alastair as they 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 boo...
May 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 76
Why did Rishi Sunak snub the Prime Minister of Greece? How have Greece solved their immigration issue? How will populist ideology fare in the upcoming European elections? The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joins Alastair and Rory to discuss all these topics and more in today's Leading. 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...
May 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 75
Why did the Tory Party choose to make Liz Truss and Boris Johnson prime minister? How does it feel to be the second shortest-serving chancellor in post-war history? What was the true thinking behind the disastrous Truss-Kwarteng mini-budget? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined for the second and final episode of their conversation with former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receiv...
May 19, 2024•55 min•Ep. 74
"If I were 22 now, I probably wouldn't vote Conservative" - Kwasi Kwarteng In the first of two episodes with the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rory and Alastair speak to Kwasi about the future of the Tory Party, New Labour's conservatism, Rishi Sunak, Rwanda, Brexit, Liz Truss, diversity in politics, the British Empire, and much, much more. If you'd like to hear the second episode RIGHT NOW, it's already available to members of The Rest Is Politics Plus - sign up at therestispolitics.com ....
May 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 73
