The Rest Is Politics - podcast cover

The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart break down current affairs in the UK and abroad. The Rest Is Politics analyses the latest international news, provides debate on global issues, and reveals secrets from Westminster, whilst bringing back the lost art of disagreeing agreeably. With insider perspectives and expert analysis, The Rest Is Politics is the go-to podcast for anyone seeking intelligent, engaging discussions on British and global politics. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries, early access to episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members chatroom. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Social Producer: Celine Charles Lead Video Editor: Josh Smith Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer General Manager: Tom Whiter
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Episodes

29. Heatwaves, semiconductors, and Johnson's return?

It's the hottest day of the year so far, but Rory and Alastair are still managing to disagree fairly agreeably! Tune in to hear them talk heatwaves, climate change, leadership debates, food shortages, semiconductors, Thatcher and taxation, China, Joe Biden, Boris Johnson's return, and more. Plus, stay tuned for a special guest episode later this week too... Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Lear...

Jul 19, 202243 minEp. 29

28. Question Time: Shinzo Abe, Sri Lanka, and 'Big Society'

Join Rory and Alastair for the seventh episode of 'The Rest Is Politics: Question Time', where they discuss the assassination and legacy of Shinzo Abe, the situation in Sri Lanka, Tory leadership, marriage, Rory's wedding ring, the Met, and more. Reading List: Not For The Faint-Hearted: My Life Fighting Crime - John Stevens Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Editor: James Hodgson Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Learn more about...

Jul 14, 202228 minEp. 28

27. Tory leadership race: contenders and pretenders

Rishi Sunak. Liz Truss. Penny Mordaunt. Tom Tugendhat. And about fifty others. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart discuss the runners and riders in the chaotic Tory leadership contest, with Rory giving an insider's guide into what goes on behind the scenes. How do you attract support? When do campaigns really start? And who will succeed Boris Johnson? Reading list: Tory leadership candidate endorsement tracker (New Statesman) - Ben Walker Who started each Tory leadership race as favourite? - Tid...

Jul 12, 202249 minEp. 27

26. BORIS JOHNSON RESIGNS

Boris Johnson has resigned. Join Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart for this emergency podcast as they react to the news of Johnson's resignation. After a tumultuous few days, Johnson is finally standing down, and Alastair and Rory answer the key questions raised by this landmark announcement. Can Johnson stay on as caretaker? Who are the candidates to replace him? What happens next? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Pr...

Jul 07, 202248 minEp. 26

25. British scandals, global recession, and Elvis

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss British scandals, moments of madness, civil service interventions, Starmer on Brexit, technocracy, global economic recession, tech bubbles, China and Taiwan, Xi Jinping, Britain's dwindling military, Lebedev, Elvis, Jimmy Carter and a tribute to Peter Brook. Reading list: Xi Jinping: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Stefan Aust and Adrian Geiges Starmer is right to say Brexit won’t be reversed (The Times) - William Hague Mozart in Motion - Patrick Macki...

Jul 07, 202248 minEp. 25

24. SPECIAL: SUNAK AND JAVID RESIGN

Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart respond to the breaking news that Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both resigned from the Government. How long can Boris Johnson survive as Prime Minister after two of his heavyweight ministers resign a few minutes apart? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

Jul 05, 202237 minEp. 24

23. Question Time: Roe v. Wade, military MPs, and Ismail Kadare

Roe v. Wade, the impact of military service on sitting MPs, Britain's global reputation, Labour's stance on strike action, progressive alliances, John Smith, Alexander the Great, and the novels of Ismail Kadare. Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell for the fifth episode of The Rest Is Politics: Question Time , where they answer your questions on all of the above and much, much more. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Reading list: Broken April ...

Jun 30, 202230 minEp. 23

22. Tony Blair on the UK's relegation battle

Tony Blair joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss his fears that Britain may soon be relegated from the Premiership of nations. Also discussed, his views on the future of the NHS, technology and how Labour can recover from the Corbyn years. Plus Ukraine, Russia, China, Scotland, and how to handle Alastair Campbell. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport The New European Of...

Jun 29, 202258 minEp. 22

21. Question Time: The Queen's toilet, Carole Cadwalladr, and climate crisis

Find out which historical world leaders Rory and Alastair would be like to work alongside, what they would say if they had the world's attention for 30 seconds, their thoughts on the 'Tory power stance' and body language coaching in politics. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Editor: James Hodgson Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 23, 202230 minEp. 21

20. By-elections, strikes, and populists

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss by-elections, how Alastair would run as a Tory, strikes, trade unions, Colombia, France, Henry Kissinger, Carrie Johnson's ghost story, Rory's visit to a kibbutz, Welsh Labour, ethics advisors and unrequited love! Reading list: Here’s what Labour should say on Brexit and immigration - Peter Kellner Henry Kissinger at 99: how to avoid another world war - Niall Ferguson Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Produc...

Jun 22, 202248 minEp. 20

19. Question Time: Ukraine, Tony Blair, and foreign languages

Join Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart for the third edition of 'The Rest is Politics: Question Time', where they answer your questions on the situation in Ukraine, the role of former world leaders in politics, and their multilingual capabilities. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Editor: James Hodgson Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 16, 202230 minEp. 19

18. Keir Starmer, Northern Ireland, and disagreeing 'agreeably'

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss the performance and future of Keir Starmer, what they both think of Wes Streeting, Rory's appearance on BBC Question Time, austerity, what Labour needs to do to win, train strikes, Tony Blair, Northern Ireland, the ERG, Liz Truss, and disagreeing 'agreeably'. Reading list: Paul Krugman - The Austerity Delusion Anton Spisak - Fixing the Northern Ireland Protocol: A Way Forward Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.co...

Jun 15, 202256 minEp. 18

17. Question Time: Austerity, diaries, and impostors

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer your questions on Austerity, John Bercow, protest, schools, carbon footprints, imposter syndrome, cheese, interview techniques, political diaries, and the Duc de Saint-Simon. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 09, 202228 minEp. 17

16. Johnson, monarchy, and the West Bank

Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport The Week: theweek.co.uk/rest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 08, 202248 minEp. 16

15. Question Time: Hong Kong handover, human rights, and Tintin

Welcome to the first ever episode of 'TRIP: Question Time'! During our Question Time pods, Rory and Alastair will attempt to answer even more of the fantastic listener questions we get each week. While the Wednesday pod will still dig into the main issues of the day, TRIP QT allows Alastair and Rory to debate wide-ranging topics and recount stories from their lives in politics and beyond. This week the pod covers prisons, how to talk to totalitarian leaders about human rights, Alastair's memorie...

Jun 02, 202229 minEp. 15

14. Charisma, Portugal, and gun control

Rory going viral, Alastair's trip to Portugal, Labour's Brexit position, Olaf Scholz, the UEFA Champions League Final, the 1922 Committee, charisma, Nelson Mandela, teaching politics in school, US gun control, and ABBA. Tune in to today's pod to hear all this and more! ANNOUNCEMENT: Make sure you come back tomorrow for our first episode of 'TRIP: Question Time' (in the same podcast feed), where Alastair and Rory will devote a whole show to answering more listener questions and recounting some in...

Jun 01, 202242 minEp. 14

13. Rupert Murdoch, Taiwan, and Burnley

Partygate photos, Teals in Australia, why Rory ran as an independent in London, Anthony Albanese, Mhairi Black, Bill Cash, Rupert Murdoch, China, Taiwan, PR, and Nigel Farage. This week's pod has got it all. Join Rory and Alastair as they drill down into the political talking points from at home and abroad, plus plenty of listener questions. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport T...

May 25, 202241 minEp. 13

12. Food shortages, Francois Hollande, and Shireen Abu Akleh

Shireen Abu Akleh, Alastair's catch-up with Francois Hollande, Rory's reflection on the Tory leadership debates, Northern Ireland, Nick Clegg, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, global food shortages, power-sharing, and press coverage. Join Rory and Alastair for discussion and analysis of all of the above and more, plus plenty of listener questions. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport The Week...

May 18, 202253 minEp. 12

11. Putin’s blanket, election fallout, and China in Africa

Beergate, local elections, Tower Hamlets, Northern Ireland, Putin, Chinese foreign policy, Oxbridge, and porridge talk. Join Rory and Alastair for discussion and analysis of all of the above and more, plus plenty of listener questions. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport The Week: theweek.co.uk/rest Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

May 11, 20221 hrEp. 11

10. Bad politics, local elections, and toxic debates

Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell work out a plan for improving the quality of debate in Westminster. They also wonder what it would take for the electorate to dump Boris Johnson from power. Plus how to make the perfect porridge. Go to Instagram and Twitter for our reading list. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport The Week: theweek.co.uk/rest Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more abou...

May 04, 20221 hrEp. 10

9. Biggest snakes, Basic Instinct, and meeting Miley

Defeating populism, the way to win a leadership contest, and Boris Johnson meeting Miley Cyrus. Join Alastair and Rory from Scotland in our first ever live episode - it's certainly not one to miss! Go to Instagram and Twitter for our reading list. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 27, 202253 minEp. 9

8. Rwanda, Religion and the Return of Trump

Join Alastair and Rory for this week's pod, where they discuss Patel's plans to send refugees to Rwanda from Britain, the role of religion in politics, and the mysterious ideologue that some believe is the brains behind Putin. There are also plenty of listener questions, which range from Trump's possible return in 2024 to whether political parties should be solely state-funded. The Rest Is Politics - Live! Wednesday 25th May - 7pm Leicester Square Theatre, London Tickets: https://www.leicestersq...

Apr 20, 20221 hr 5 minEp. 8

7. Partygate fines, political partners, and voting at 15?

In today's pod Alastair and Rory discuss the police fines that Johnson and Sunak have received for their roles in Partygate, the current political situation in both France and Pakistan, and the role of spouses in politics. After the break they also drill down into what Alastair and Rory vehemently disagree on politically. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport Goalhanger Podcasts L...

Apr 13, 20221 hr 12 minEp. 7

6. Globalism, Scottish Nationalism, and Rory's new job

Could this be the final ever episode of The Rest Is Politics after Rory's revelation last Friday, 1st April? Hopefully not! After more terrible news from Ukraine and some countries refusing to shun Russia, could this crisis herald the end of a globalism? Also, reaction to populist leaders Orban and Le Pen gaining support in Europe, the ethics of working with questionable regimes, and what first attracted Rory Stewart to the Conservative Party? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics ...

Apr 06, 202255 minEp. 6

5. Tribal politics, anonymous sources, and Malcolm Tucker

Do the Royal family and the Commonwealth still have a place in the modern world? Alastair and Rory discuss Rwanda and countries recovering from war, whether Joe Biden is an effective communicator, how the relationship between the media and politicians really works, and why certain people find it hard to criticise their own party. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

Mar 30, 20221 hrEp. 5

4. Iraq, brave opposition, and powerful Chancellors

As Rory returns from a tour of Iraq with a landmine charity, what lessons can be learned from the country since the occupation, and how could they be applied to the current situation in Ukraine? Also, is Belarus getting off too lightly in terms of sanctions, can Britain become 'food independent' again, and what is the power dynamic between Prime Ministers and Chancellors of the Exchequer? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Goalhanger Podcasts Lear...

Mar 23, 20221 hr 1 minEp. 4

3. Zelenskyy's humanity, Lebvedev's parties, and Eton

Who is winning the communications landscape in Ukraine? Alastair and Rory discuss the importance of soft power, the sacrifices needed to free European dependency on Russian oil, the most intimidating politicians, and whether private schools like Eton have a healthy impact on British society. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 16, 20221 hr 1 minEp. 3

The Rest Is History: Young Putin, the KGB and the Soviet Union

In our most recent episode, Alastair mentioned our sister podcast, The Rest Is History, and its recent mini-series on the Soviet Union, its fall, Putin's early life and his subsequent rise to power. Here's the first episode of the series on Brezhnev, Putin's formative years, his early KGB career and Gorbachev's descent into chaos. Was Putin a nationalist or a communist? What changed from Brezhnev to Gorbachev? What was Putin doing in East Germany during the Soviet twilight years? Find the next e...

Mar 14, 202233 min

2. Lying, vanity and friendship in politics

Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell! With Ukrainian refugees struggling to claim asylum in the UK, why aren't the British government's actions matching up to its rhetoric? Rory and Alastair discuss the importance of personal relationships in matters of state, and question whether the current honours system is fit for purpose after former education and defence secretary Gavin Williamson was given a knighthood. Instagram: @restispolitics Tw...

Mar 09, 202255 minEp. 2

1. Putin in person, Russian money in British politics, and Bono vs Blair

What's Vladimir Putin like to deal with in person? On the first episode of "The Rest Is Politics", Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart tackle the latest developments in Ukraine, give their insight into the most effective next steps for NATO, explain how Russian money has affected British politics, and discuss celebrity activism. Follow us: Twitter Instagram Email the show: restispolitics@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 02, 202255 minEp. 1
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