How will Donald Trump's arraignment unfold? What is happening at the border between the United Kingdom and France? What was the significance of King Charles' visit to Germany? Rory and Alastair discuss these topics, plus we say goodbye to the world's youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin of Finland, Russia assumes UN Security Council presidency, and Sunak launches new grooming gang taskforce. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening t...
Apr 05, 2023•54 min•Ep. 117
What's the story about Cummings and Corbyn on the podcast? Should GB News be considered a news channel? How did Britpop and Cool Britannia affect the 1997 election result? Tune in to today's Question Time pod to hear all these answered and more. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl LEADING: Follow this link to hear our episode with Gary Lineker: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to bot...
Mar 30, 2023•31 min•Ep. 116
Would Labour ever endorse Scottish independence? Why is France on fire? And how did Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng end up talking to a fake Korean consultancy firm? Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl LEADING: Follow this link to hear our episode with Gary Lineker: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the...
Mar 29, 2023•53 min•Ep. 115
Could Labour inherit a junior doctor problem? What can be done about the rising costs of childcare? And what do Rory and Alastair really see in each other? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more in this week’s Question Time. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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...
Mar 23, 2023•36 min•Ep. 114
In a week where we've had bank bailouts and a meeting where Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping hinted at a dangerous anti-western alliance, is there much to feel positive about? Join Rory and Alastair as they cover these topics, as well as Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempted overhaul of the judicial system in Israel and Rory’s recent visit to Turkey. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book ...
Mar 22, 2023•58 min•Ep. 113
It's 20 years since the invasion of Iraq - but what is its legacy? Tony Blair said to Parliament in March 2003 that what happened in Iraq would ‘determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation’. Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss the implications of the Iraq invasion and whether Blair’s speech did prove to be true... TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount b...
Mar 16, 2023•55 min•Ep. 112
20 years on from the invasion of Iraq, Rory speaks to Alastair about the build up, aftermath, and legacy of the event. The second episode in this series, 'Iraq: The Legacy', will be released tomorrow. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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. Ju...
Mar 15, 2023•57 min•Ep. 111
After an extraordinary and bizarre week where a tweet from Gary Lineker led to a crisis at the national broadcaster, Rory and Alastair try to make sense of the BBC’s handling of the situation, question its governance structure, and explain why the government’s refugee policy is flawed. Editor's note: Gary Lineker is the co-owner of Goalhanger Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Mar 11, 2023•46 min•Ep. 110
What is the best speech Rory and Alastair have ever heard? Why is the cabinet so big? Would you rather trust Isabel Oakeshott or Xi Jinping with your phone? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more in this week's Question Time. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 sho...
Mar 09, 2023•31 min•Ep. 109
More than 100,000 WhatsApp messages have been leaked to the Daily Telegraph revealing private conversations between senior politicians and government officials during the height of the pandemic. But what do they tell us about the people leading our country, and how will Hancock recover from this? Rory and Alastair discuss this scandal, plus reflect on the news of Kier Starmer's new Chief of Staff appointment, the legacy of Live Aid in raising awareness of world poverty, and the new documentary a...
Mar 08, 2023•56 min•Ep. 108
Is there any point in writing to your MP? What are the benefits of UBI? Why do we say 'Mrs' Thatcher, but not 'Mr' Suank? Listen to hear all these questions answered, plus Rory and Alastair's cultural recommendations for the week, their thoughts on the chances of Boris Johnson becoming the next NATO Secretary General, and what to do if you're losing a loved one to conspiracy theories... TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to bot...
Mar 02, 2023•34 min•Ep. 107
Has Rishi Sunak pulled off the biggest victory of his premiership? How does China view the Russian invasion of Ukraine? And what does Alastair make of Keir Starmer’s big policy 'missions'? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 t...
Mar 01, 2023•53 min•Ep. 106
What should we make of the Qatari bid to buy Manchester United? Why is Modi's government raiding the BBC offices in India? And why did Rory's appearance at the Bilderberg Meeting lead to claims he was part of a global lizard conspiracy? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 ti...
Feb 23, 2023•39 min•Ep. 105
Who will be Nicola Sturgeon's successor as First Minister of Scotland? What does the future hold for Russia's relationship with the West? Is Boris Johnson staging a comeback? Alastair and Rory look at these topics, plus the role of biodiversity in ecological policy, the Northern Ireland protocol, China's role in bringing peace to Ukraine, and how relevant a politician's religious views are to their campaign. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad...
Feb 22, 2023•58 min•Ep. 104
Will Rory ever return to politics? How do MPs serve effectively from remote areas? Should Russia be allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics? Alastair and Rory cover these topics, plus the role of Cabinet Secretaries, Biden's State of the Union Address, and what it means to be a 'recovering politician'. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod,...
Feb 16, 2023•34 min•Ep. 103
Why are ardent remainers and high profile eurosceptics meeting in secret to discuss our relationship with Europe? How has the earthquake in Turkey affected President Erdoğan politically? And why do MPs and members of the public have contrasting views on the death penalty? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 ...
Feb 15, 2023•55 min•Ep. 102
What is the actual role of a diplomat? Would Brexit have had a different result if Labour was under Ed Miliband's leadership? How will artificial intelligence change our society? Rory and Alastair answer these questions and more in this week's Question Time episode. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 receiv...
Feb 09, 2023•27 min•Ep. 101
Are Johnson and Truss on manoeuvres against Sunak? Has the Chinese spy balloon pushed US relations with Beijing to a dangerous place? And what's Rory been arguing about with Sandi Toksvig? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, 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 t...
Feb 08, 2023•49 min•Ep. 100
Are academics generally left-leaning? Should the theatrical nature of PMQs be reformed? What makes an MP 'talented'? Listen to hear these questions answered, plus positive stories about politicians, cultural recommendations, what makes an MP 'talented', and the relevance of vocational education. Leading: Have you heard this week's episode of Leading, where Alastair and Rory speak to one of Rory's political heroes, New Labour politician Alan Milburn, on how to save the NHS. TRIP Plus: Become a me...
Feb 02, 2023•29 min•Ep. 99
After 100 days as PM, is Rishi Sunak’s power already waning? What happens behind the scenes of a high-profile resignation? Has the US pivoted away from its central involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict? Alastair and Rory cover all the latest political news from both the UK and abroad in today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. Leading: This week on Leading, Rory and Alastair were joined by the former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn to answer a big question... How can we save the NHS?...
Feb 01, 2023•48 min•Ep. 98
What do Rory, Mark Zuckerberg and Saif Gaddafi all have in common? Will we see a Labour revival in Scotland? Why haven't the CPS followed up over lockdown parties in Downing Street? Rory and Alastair answer these questions and discuss the role social media played in Jacinda Ardern's resignation, the current situation in Haiti, and cultural recommendations for the week. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, join the TRIP Plus Disc...
Jan 26, 2023•36 min•Ep. 97
Who gave Boris Johnson an £800k loan when he was PM? Is Nadhim Zahawi's political career over? Why is Russia on a charm offensive in Africa? Alastair and Rory cover all the latest political news from both the UK and abroad in today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Ju...
Jan 25, 2023•45 min•Ep. 96
Could Boris Johnson lose the Tory whip? Why are we paying so much for gas if wholesale prices are back to normal? Why did Joe Biden remove classified documents from the White House? Rory and Alastair answer these questions, along with systemic problems within the Metropolitan Police, misogyny in schools, the future of Labour, and Suella Braverman's latest controversy. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live sh...
Jan 19, 2023•35 min•Ep. 95
Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss anti-strike legislation, the right to protest, the battle between the Scottish and UK government over gender recognition reform, the plight of women in Afghanistan, and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, join the TRIP Plus Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispolit...
Jan 18, 2023•42 min•Ep. 94
Rory and Alastair are launching a new podcast - ' Leading '! Every Monday, Alastair and Rory are going to speak to people who are leading in their field. Whether they be presidents, policy makers, sports stars or religious leaders - Leading is going to be hosting the biggest names from many different walks of life. Today's guest is former Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Heseltine. One of the biggest names in the last half-century of British politics, Lord Heseltine discusses everything from his c...
Jan 16, 2023•10 min
**RORY AND ALASTAIR'S NEW PODCAST... The Rest Is Politics: Leading** Rory and Alastair are launching a new podcast - ' Leading '! Starting on Monday 16th January, a weekly episode will be released where they speak to captivating individuals - from both inside and outside of politics - about life, leadership, and leading the way in their chosen field. As you'll hear in the excerpt at the end of this Question Time pod, Michael Heseltine is the first guest, with his episode coming out this Monday, ...
Jan 12, 2023•29 min•Ep. 93
Join Rory and Alastair as they record in person from Soho, discussing the fallout from Prince Harry's new book, the failed coup against Lula in Brazil, how the NHS could look to the Netherlands for reform, ghost writers, the Czech Republic, Myanmar, and much, much more. Show notes: Amanda Marcotte - The Conversation - ' Call it the Conspiracy Theory Congress: Things are about to get dangerously weird on Capitol Hill ' TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast...
Jan 11, 2023•33 min•Ep. 92
Join Rory and Alastair this week as they discuss what Alastair has described as ‘one of the best pieces of communication he has ever seen’, the definition of populism, and their controversial predictions for the year ahead. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, join the TRIP Plus Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispoliti...
Jan 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 91
In our first podcast of 2023, Rory and Alastair discuss the NHS in crisis and how government investment needs to be coupled with structural reform. There's also a look back at Alastair's diaries during the transfer of power from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown, and an analysis of newly-released documents from the National Archives. Show notes: Ian Kennedy, ' The NHS Dream is Dying ', The New European, 08.12.22 John Burn-Murdoch, Data Scientist Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream Become a member of The Re...
Jan 04, 2023•50 min•Ep. 90
Join Alastair and Rory for a bonus episode as they discuss their political predictions for 2023! 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: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Producers: Dom Johnson + Nicole Maslen Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about you...
Dec 29, 2022•19 min•Ep. 89
