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

58. U-turns, Ukraine and election season

Will Truss and Kwarteng survive a week of U-turns? Have worldwide elections followed the populist trends set by Sweden and Italy? Plus news on the conflicts in Ukraine and Yemen, Rory's admiration for David Miliband, and a critique of Singapore-on-Thames. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool live show tickets: ...

Oct 05, 202253 minEp. 58

57. The Week Everything Changed

In a special bonus episode Rory and Alastair discuss whether the writing is already on the wall for Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, how Starmer found his voice and revived Labour, and what the future holds for the UK economy... Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: winterga...

Sep 29, 202242 minEp. 57

56. Question Time: Prison reform, lobbying, and Alastair on Strictly

Should MPs be drug tested? Does the UK have a corruption problem? How could we radically reform prisons? Alastair and Rory join each other in person this week to answer these questions and many more. Plus, they discuss if they've ever been offered to participate in a reality show, and if they would ever consider doing Strictly Come Dancing... Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Ti...

Sep 29, 202228 minEp. 56

55. The Kamikwaze budget, Iranian protests, and Italian 'post-fascists'

It's been a quiet week in UK politics... On today's (in person) episode Rory and Alastair discuss Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget, Liz Truss and her quest for growth, the protests in Iran and the far right's election victory in Italy. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wi...

Sep 28, 202250 minEp. 55

54. Albanian PM Edi Rama on Putin, Macron, and combating corruption

Alastair and Rory are joined by Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, to talk Putin, Merkel, Macron, the European Union, small boats, cyber attacks from Iran, and much, much more. Tune in to hear how the 'third way' inspired Edi's journey from life as an artist in Paris to a three-time election-winning prime minister. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head...

Sep 23, 202256 minEp. 54

53. Question Time: Blair-Brown, the Special Relationship, and official apologies

Who would you cast to play yourself in a film? Rory and Alastair give their answers to this question and many more in today's Question Time episode. Plus the rarity of political apologies, friendship (and animosity) between ex Prime Ministers, and the UK's 'special relationship' with the US. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to s...

Sep 22, 202232 minEp. 53

52. The Queen's funeral, United Nations, and fracking

Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Liz Truss' visit to the UN, the pros and cons of fracking and the drastic fall in value of the British Pound. Plus Biden's growing popularity, international diplomacy, and the role of foreign correspondents. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpoo...

Sep 21, 202258 minEp. 52

51. Mark Drakeford on Labour success, Tory PMs, and Welsh nationalism

Alastair and Rory are joined by Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour, to talk Boris Johnson, devolution, Welsh nationalism, Scotland, the secret of Labour’s century of success in Wales, Covid, Brexit, Latin and more. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday ...

Sep 16, 202248 minEp. 51

50. Question Time: King Charles III, Scottish accents, and left vs. right

What's the true definition of right-wing and left-wing? Alastair and Rory debate what defines the two sides of the political spectrum, who their favourite comedians are, and why neither of them have a Scottish accent. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensbla...

Sep 15, 202231 minEp. 50

49. Queen Elizabeth II, Ukrainian counter-attacks, and Sweden

Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss Queen Elizabeth II, the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Rory's trip to Kenya, the far right in Sweden, and the Shanghai Co-Operation Organisation. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com ...

Sep 14, 202241 minEp. 49

48. Question Time: Parents, Austerity, and talking with hands

What’s more annoying, a stupid person pretending to be clever or a clever person pretending to be stupid? On an unrelated note Rory and Alastair give more reaction to Liz Truss taking over from Boris Johnson, and give an insight into their family backgrounds. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live...

Sep 08, 202221 minEp. 48

47. Liz Truss, lido politics, and Chile

How will Liz Truss operate in Number 10? Why is The Rest Is Politics banned on FCDO official phones? And what's going on in Chile? Plus foreign aid, James Cleverly, Alastair's lido lifestyle, a message from Eton's headmaster, and Oxbridge. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Qu...

Sep 07, 202227 minEp. 47

46. PRIME MINISTER LIZ TRUSS

In an emergency podcast, Rory and Alastair react to the news that Liz Truss has won the race to become the UK's next prime minister. Plus Kwasi Kwarteng, Joe Lycett, a PM's first 24 hours, Instagram politicians, a potential whip problem, what it means for Keir Starmer, and the next general election. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free li...

Sep 05, 202247 minEp. 46

45. Question Time: BBC impartiality, books vs. newspapers, and Stewart spoofery

What shared regret do Rory and Alastair have about their time at university? Plus local journalism, bikes, John le Carré, musical instruments, rhetoric, and Rory's defence of Eton. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to...

Sep 01, 202228 minEp. 45

44. Freezing bills, mental health in politics, and Rory's new job

Are windfall taxes and freezing energy bills the best ways to deal with the cost of living crisis? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss the skyrocketing energy prices, the negative effect that politics can have on your mental health, the floods in Pakistan, Biden's quietly impressive summer, leaders ducking out of tough interviews, and Rory's exciting new job. Blackpool live show tickets: Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Become a member of Th...

Aug 31, 202255 minEp. 44

43. Question Time: Margaret Thatcher, Rupert Murdoch, and Mick Lynch

At what points in their political careers did Rory and Alastair feel under the most pressure? Plus the wonders of sleep, Murdoch's subtle influence, and protest marches. Blackpool tickets - Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Aug 25, 202230 minEp. 43

42. Working for Truss, Blackpool with Clinton, and Sewage

Why is raw sewage being pumped into UK rivers? How easy is it to stand up to Liz Truss when she's your boss? And which former US president walked for 2 miles with Alastair in search of a McDonald's? Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool tickets - Saturday 8th October: wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-rest...

Aug 24, 202250 minEp. 42

Introducing Empire

Today's feed drop features historian and friend of the show William Dalrymple discussing our new sister podcast, Empire, which he hosts alongside broadcaster Anita Anand. How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today? This new show explores the stories, personalities and events of empire over the course of history. The first series looks at the British in India, covering The East India Company, the Raj, Gandhi, Independence and Partition. In the openin...

Aug 19, 20221 hr 4 min

41. Question Time: Classified documents, Eddie Jones, and A-levels

Just how easy is it to waltz out of office with classified government documents? In the latest episode of TRIP QT, Alastair and Rory take your questions on Trump's FBI raid, Gordon Brown and Gillian Duffy, scuffles, Eddie Jones, A-levels, and more. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Blackpool tickets - Saturday 8th Oct...

Aug 18, 202240 minEp. 41

40. Salman Rushdie, the energy price cap, and Afghanistan

Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss the one year anniversary of Afghanistan falling to the Taliban, the French withdrawal from Mali, the Wagner Group, how Gordon Brown lets his hair down, the Kenyan election, the cost of living, Keir Starmer's holiday, the energy price cap, Salman Rushdie, freedom of speech, and more. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head...

Aug 17, 202252 minEp. 40

39. Question Time: Clan Campbell vs. Clan Stewart, Tartan Trews, and Lindsay Hoyle

Join Alastair and Rory for the latest episode of TRIP: Question Time, where they answer your questions on the historical Scottish clashes between Clan Stewart and Clan Campbell, Rory’s tartan trousers, the performance of Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker, and labour shortages in the UK. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instag...

Aug 11, 202225 minEp. 39

38. Amnesty International, cabinet duels, and fuel poverty

Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss lame ducks, Amnesty International’s Ukraine report, politicians’ holidays, energy prices, fuel poverty, George Canning, Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan, the wildfires and US Climate Bill, Boris Johnson’s dancing, and The Rest Is Politics bingo . Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram...

Aug 10, 202246 minEp. 38

37. Question Time: Scottish Unionism, growth, and cannibalism

Join Alastair and Rory for the latest episode of TRIP: Question Time, where they answer your questions on Bhutan's Gross Domestic Happiness, Scottish Unionism, political biographies, cannibalism, and more. Show notes: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln - Doris Kearns Goodwin De Gaulle - Aidan Crawley The Years of Lyndon Johnson - Robert Caro The Power Broker - Robert Caro Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Editor: James Hodgso...

Aug 04, 202221 minEp. 37

36. William Hague on Boris Johnson, Blair, and Brexit

In a special episode of The Rest Is Politics, Alastair and Rory are joined by former Foreign Secretary and former Leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague. They discuss the future for Boris Johnson, William’s days facing Tony Blair in the Commons, packing the House of Lords, Putin’s offer to build a gas pipeline to the UK, the Hong Kong handover, Brexit, leaving politics on a high, education, vaccines, and reasons to be optimistic. Show notes: The Great Firewall: Wie China das Internet ve...

Aug 03, 202251 minEp. 36

35. Al-Qaeda, Pelosi in Taiwan, and working for Truss

Join Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart as they discuss al-Qaeda, Kosovo, Kenya, Tunisia, the 'age of impunity', Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit, working for Truss and Sunak, terrorism, and resignation honours. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Show notes: The Holocaust: A New History - Laurence Rees Boris Johnson is planning to fill the Lords with his cronies and legitimise bribery - Gordon Brown (The Guardian) Which prime minister is being describe...

Aug 02, 202242 minEp. 35

34. Question Time: The last days of Blair and May, carbon footprints, and remaining hopeful

May's downfall, Blair-Brown, Celtic vs. Rangers in Belfast, remaining hopeful, charter cities, climate change, carbon emissions, and wildfires. Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all your questions on the above and more in the latest Question Time episode of The Rest Is Politics. Reading list: The Brexit revolutionaries have barely begun, Britain need to wake up fast (The Sovereign Individual) - Alastair Campbell The Tories are upping their attack on our democracy, under cover of the leadersh...

Jul 28, 202232 minEp. 34

33. Blue on blue, famine in Africa, and David Trimble

Join Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart as they discuss the Tory leadership race, the life and legacy of David Trimble, Mario Draghi's resignation, charter cities, famine in Africa, populism, and Marilyn Monroe's poetry. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Show notes: The Irish Diaries (1994–2003) - Alastair Campbell David Trimble Channel 4 Clip (Twitter) Italy’s loss of Mario Draghi is a warning to progressives across Europe – and to the EU - Lore...

Jul 27, 202247 minEp. 33

32. Question Time: Treating addiction, feminism, and a fear of ketchup

Join Rory and Alastair for the latest episode of 'The Rest Is Politics: Question Time', where they discuss removing the stigma around addiction, feminism, Eton, Alastair's fear of ketchup, political cliches, Rory's worst interview gaff, whether the SNP has a mandate for another independence referendum, and how Iran and Afghanistan have changed since Rory's walk. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport...

Jul 22, 202226 minEp. 32

31. Rishi Sunak vs. Liz Truss

And then there were two... After finding out that Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak will compete to be the next UK Prime Minister, Rory and Alastair recorded a special episode devoted to that very topic. They discuss Truss and Sunak's reputation among Tory members, their suitability for the top job, and the relationship between ambitious MPs and the British media. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack ...

Jul 21, 202236 minEp. 31

30. Keir Starmer on rebuilding Labour, Tory leadership, and Brexit

In a special episode recorded in Westminster as temperatures approached 40C in London, Rory and Alastair are joined by the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer. They debate and discuss the Tory leadership race, Scotland, rebuilding Labour, economic policy, global recession, Brexit, Boris Johnson, the path to power, the Lib Dems, electoral reform, written constitutions, the British press and more. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: rest...

Jul 20, 202248 minEp. 30
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