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 10 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast 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 12 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 tickets...
Jul 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast "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•Transcript available on Metacast How did Nancy Pelosi rise up to be the most politically powerful woman in America? What was it like to attend JFK's inauguration? What's the key secret behind fundraising in US politics? Rory and Alastair join Speaker Emerita, Nancy Pelosi, 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 o...
May 05, 2024•58 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast How much do you know about the last serious attempt at a two state solution in the Israel-Gaza conflict? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by former Israeli PM, Ehud Olmert, to discuss his time in office, the likelihood of a two state solution, and historic corruption charges. 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...
Apr 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast How much power does the Mayor of London actually have? Have we moved forward - or backwards - as a country when it comes to religion in politics? Should London take a leaf out of New York's book to boost investment in the city? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, 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 ...
Apr 21, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Is net zero 2030 impossible to achieve - and is it a mistake to pursue it? Should governments be more brutal with climate investment? Are events like COP a waste of time? Rory and Alastair are joined by Britain’s leading energy economist, Professor Dieter Helm, 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 ...
Apr 14, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast What makes international conflicts turn domestic? Does Qatar play the key role in bringing peace to the Middle East? Is there a generational split in the West over Israel-Gaza? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Ed Kessler, a leading thinker in interfaith relations, to answer all these questions and more. 🌏 Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/leadingvpn It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅ Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Apr 07, 2024•56 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast Should spies be allowed to break the law while undercover? What should the relationship between government and intelligence look like? Do we overestimate or underestimate the power and reach of Russia’s FSB and China’s intelligence service? On today’s special episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Eliza Manningham-Buller and John Sawers to discuss what it’s really like to lead MI5 and MI6, respectively. This episode was recorded before the IS-Khorasan attack in Moscow. 🌏 Get our ex...
Mar 31, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Can Britain remain a cultural superpower post-Brexit? How does religion and philosophy inform creativity? How can we prevent arts from being cut from curriculums? Rory and Alastair are joined by Britain's leading sculptor, Antony Gormley, to answer all these questions and more. 🌏 Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/leadingvpn It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✅ TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast How did peace come to the Balkans? What was it like to be a political prisoner? Is Serbia more allied with the West, or with Putin? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, 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 mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and re...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast How hard is it to be a one person party in parliament? What can the left learn from the populist right? Could electoral reform actually help Keir Starmer? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by the Green Party's Caroline Lucas to answer all these questions and more. Pre order Caroline's book, Another England, here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/another-england/caroline-lucas/2928377252441 🌏 Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/leadingvpn It’s risk...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast What is Sajid's biggest regret from his time in politics? What barriers did he come up against in the Shamima Begum case during his time as Home Secretary? Will the NHS survive? Rory and Alastair are joined by Sajid Javid, former Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State for Health, and many more cabinet positions, to answer all these questions and more in part two of this two part interview. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, re...
Mar 08, 2024•43 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast How are politicians working to combat anti-muslim and antisemitic racism in the UK? How does Sajid maintain friendships across party lines? Was austerity the only option for the Conservatives following the financial crash? Rory and Alastair are joined by Sajid Javid, former Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State for Health, and many more cabinet positions, to answer all these questions and more in part one of this two part interview. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Res...
Mar 04, 2024•42 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast “You took me to one side and said be very, very careful of these people, these neo-cons. Because they’re going to use this to do all sorts of stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.” What are the limits of foreign intervention? Do the American people still want their country to be the world’s policeman? Is Biden closer to Clinton in his outlook than to Obama? On today‘s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by James Rubin, former diplomat and commentator on international affairs, as ...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast 
