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.
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Episodes
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482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025
Thursday, 25 December 2025
What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campaigner of the year? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss all of this and more. __________ The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away FREE TRIP+ membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups 🎉 TRIP+ gets you ad-free listening, discounts, and early access to episodes and pre-sale tickets for live shows! To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/politics ⚡ __________ For more Goalhanger Podcasts, ...
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481. Polanski, Macron & al-Sharaa: The Best & Worst Politicians of 2025
Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Who deserves the title of UK politician of the year - and who gets worst? What was the most consequential moment of Trump's presidency so far? And can Rory convince Alastair that Christmas isn't so miserable after all? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas – give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. Just go to therestisp...
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Will AI Take Our Jobs? (Ep 2)
Friday, 19 December 2025
Is AI a genuine productivity revolution, or just another tech bubble? Are any jobs safe from the advent of AI? And, can the UK harness the innovation, or will it fall behind? Rory Stewart is joined by former government advisor of AI, and author of the AI Action Plan, for a members only mini-series on the future of Artificial Intelligence. Sign up at therestispolitics.com to hear the full episode, and enjoy all TRIP Plus perks. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to goalhanger.com Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @restispolitics Email: therestispolitics@goalha...
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480. Trump, China, and the Scramble for Latin America (Question Time)
Thursday, 18 December 2025
What’s really driving Trump’s interventions in Venezuela and the rest of Latin America – oil, drugs, or democracy? Is Labour failing on its promise to reform and ultimately abolish the House of Lords? Why is there so little coverage of the Palestine Action hunger strike? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas – give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a...
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479. Russian Influence in Britain: How Exposed Are We?
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Why are Britain’s top military and intelligence chiefs sounding the alarm about Putin’s influence and future plans? How deeply has Russia already penetrated British politics, media, and public debate – and why did it take so long for us to act? If Europe is serious about sustaining Ukraine, why is it still struggling to unlock Russia’s frozen assets? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas – give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and l...
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How Will AI Change The World? (Ep 1)
Friday, 12 December 2025
How will AI reshape the way we live, earn, and design our lifestyles over the next decade? With investment in AI increasing a billion fold the last 12 years – is this a gold mine or a classic bubble? And why is so little attention being paid to this issue? Rory Stewart is joined by former government advisor of AI, and author of the AI Action Plan, for a members only mini-series on the future of Artificial Intelligence. To hear the full episode now claim your FREE TRIAL for The Rest Is Politics Plus at therestispolitics.com. The Rest Is Politics Plus grants you exclusive bonus c...
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478. Farage’s Crypto Megadonor and the Graduate Jobs Disaster (Question Time)
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Why has a crypto billionaire living in Thailand donated £9 million to Nigel Farage's party, Reform UK? With a graduate jobs crisis in full swing and rising debt, what are the prospects for young Brits? Can the fragile Gaza ceasefire realistically hold? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas - give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. J...
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477. How Trump’s Security Strategy Destroys The Old World Order
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Has Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy officially upended 80 years of American foreign policy? Why does it warn of Europe's "civilisational erasure" while downplaying threats from its traditional adversaries?And is it finally time for the UK and Europe to chart their own course? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas - give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted boo...
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476. Polanski’s Problem, Westminster’s Russia Blind Spot, and Justice Without Juries? (Question Time)
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Are the Greens selling an economic vision they can’t explain? Should Britain ditch juries in some trials? And, how far has Russian influence seeped into UK politics? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away free TRIP Plus membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups 🎉 TRIP Plus gets you ad-free listening, discounts, and early access to episodes and pre-sale tickets for live shows! To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/po...
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475. The Budget Backlash – and Trump’s Plan to Profit from Peace in Ukraine
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Is the media too negative about Reeves and Starmer, or are they simply out of ideas? What has the relentless Budget turmoil and fallout done to already low levels of trust in the Government? How much of Trump’s approach to Putin and Ukraine is driven by his business interests? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas – give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and...
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Introducing: The Rest Is Science
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Forget what you think you know about reality. The Rest Is Science is a mind-bending new show from Goalhanger that tears down familiar ideas… time, randomness, beauty, it will reveal just how bizarre the world truly is. Join Professor Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens (aka Vsauce) twice a week to explore big, small and surprising questions as they deep dive into theories, concepts, objects and thoughts and take us on a journey into the unexpected. If you love digging into details that usually get skipped over, this is the show that proves reality is stranger than fiction. ...
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474. Does Reeves' Budget Really Change Anything? What It Means For You
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Was this 'the most leaked Budget' of all time? Has Rachel Reeves managed to balance the demands of the public, the markets, industry, and her party? Can Reeves turn around the Government’s and the country's fortunes with this Budget, or will it be her last as Chancellor? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas – give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a...
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473. Europe vs. Trump: Competing Visions for a Ukraine Peace Deal (Question Time)
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
What happens to global leadership when the US ghosts the G20 and COP, and can middle powers really keep the world moving? Is Britain ignoring a major foreign-interference scandal? And, how close is the West Bank to total economic collapse—and why isn’t anyone talking about it? Is your door in the draw? Sign up by midnight 30th November at https://postcodelottery.co.uk. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas - give someone a whole ye...
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472. Is Trump’s Peace 'Plan’ Forced Surrender for Ukraine?
Sunday, 23 November 2025
Who is really behind the White House 'peace plan' for Ukraine: Trump or Putin? Why isn't Europe taking the threat from Russia more seriously, and doing more to protect Ukraine? How does all of this relate to Russia’s hybrid warfare and the ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales taking pro-Russia bribes? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive series on JD V...
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471. Rory Stewart: How the Government Tried to Silence Me on Lockdowns
Friday, 21 November 2025
Why did Boris Johnson and the British government not only fail to listen, but actively try to suppress early warnings about the pandemic? How did groupthink and optimism bias cripple the UK's response? And is Britain's government structurally too slow to handle future threats like AI and Putin's increasing aggression in Europe? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away free TRIP Plus membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups 🎉 TRIP...
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470. China vs Japan, the BBC at Breaking Point, and The Future of Satire (Question Time)
Thursday, 20 November 2025
Is Japan provoking China, or responding to a real threat over Taiwan? What does the BBC’s credibility crisis reveal about Britain’s fight over truth? And, why is Chile swinging from the left to the far right? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com...
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469. Is Starmer Out of Moves? Asylum Gamble, Tax Chaos, and Open Infighting
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
After a week of turmoil, can Labour recover their support or are they already doomed to lose the next election? Are Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms the answer to the threat of Reform, or is Labour pandering to its political opponents? With arguments breaking out amongst his MAGA fanbase, are we witnessing the splintering of Trump's electoral coalition? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newslett...
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468. Starmer in Crisis: Sabotage From Within? (Question Time)
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Has Keir Starmer lost control of his own team? Is Gen Z actually the most informed generation yet, or are they cripplingly cynical? And, why is African democracy in retreat? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com The Rest Is Poli...
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467. The Mamdani Method Explained: Could It Shock Britain?
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
How did a thirty four-year old democratic socialist win over New York, and can he actually follow through on his promise to transform the city? What do Zohran Mamdani, Zack Polanski, and Nigel Farage all get right? Why did Donald Trump meet the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and could his bulldozer approach to geopolitics actually be helping Syria? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, ...
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466. Crisis Engulfs the BBC: Is this a Coordinated Attack?
Monday, 10 November 2025
Why have the BBC’s Director General and Head of News both suddenly resigned? Is this an internal 'coup' at the BBC or a 'concerted' attack by its usual enemies? How is American-style polarisation spreading to UK media, and what does it mean for the quality of our journalism? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Josh Smith Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green, India Dunkley Senior Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
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Murdoch's Succession Battle and the Fight for Fox News
Friday, 7 November 2025
What are the key differences between Murdoch's children, particularly Lachlan and James? How do the internal family conflicts of the Murdochs mirror the TV show Succession? What will Rupert Murdoch's legacy be? Alastair is joined by two-time Rupert Murdoch biographer, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more. Unlock the full five-part mini-series The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch – only with The Rest Is Politics Plus. Members enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to new shows. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com Written & Produced by: N...
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465. Andrew’s Disgrace, Newsnight, and a Centrist Win in the Netherlands (Question Time)
Thursday, 6 November 2025
How much transparency should we demand from the monarchy? Do the latest Dutch results show that populism is fracturing, or simply mutating? And, did Xi embarrass Trump? __________ Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com The Rest Is Politics is po...
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464. Labour’s Tax Timebomb, Climate Backsliding, and Sudan’s Forgotten War
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Is this the Budget that breaks Labour, or can Reeves walk the tightrope? Why does the general public increasingly think we’re overreacting to climate breakdown? Why aren’t Elon Musk’s provocations of a civil war in Britain being challenged more by mainstream politicians? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of ...
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The Monster He Made: Murdoch, Trump, and the Price of Power (Part 4)
Monday, 3 November 2025
What was the nature of the relationship between Fox News and Donald Trump? What, or who, caused Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Wendi Deng to end? What were the consequences of Fox News promoting election fraud conspiracies after the 2020 election? Alastair is joined by two-time Rupert Murdoch biographer, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more. To enjoy the full series right now, claim your FREE TRIAL for The Rest Is Politics Plus at therestispolitics.com. The Rest Is Politics Plus grants you exclusive bonus content, miniseries, early access to Question Time episodes and live sho...
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463. Question Time: How Truth Became Optional In Trump’s America
Thursday, 30 October 2025
How serious are Trump’s hints about serving a third term? Is the US sleepwalking into a civil war? And does the Labour Party really understand rural Britain? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. T...
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462. Starmer Hits Rock Bottom: Will He Break His Manifesto to Survive?
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
What does Labour’s unprecedented collapse in Wales really mean? If Putin takes Ukraine, which European neighbour is next? What can Starmer learn from Ireland’s new president, Catherine Connolly? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com _...
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The Phone-Hacking Scandal: How Murdoch's UK Empire Fell (Part 3)
Saturday, 25 October 2025
What was the phone-hacking scandal and how did it escalate into a major crisis? How was Alastair himself implicated? What did Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Wendi Deng mean for his family's fortune? Alastair is joined by two-time Rupert Murdoch biographer, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more.Unlock the full five-part mini-series The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch – only with TRIP+. Members enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and early access to new shows. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com Written & Produced by: Nicole Maslen Video Editor: Jo...
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461. Question Time: The Tel Aviv Fan Ban & Japan’s New Thatcher
Thursday, 23 October 2025
This episode has been edited to remove a discussion on the China spy case. The Rest Is Politics wishes to make clear that Mr Christopher Cash and Mr Christopher Berry were found not guilty of gathering and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state under the Official Secrets Act 1911 and have always maintained their innocence, categorically denying knowingly spying for China. Was banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans the right call? What does Prince Andrew’s latest downfall reveal about the royals? What will Sanae Takaichi's premiership mean for Japan? Join Ror...
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460. Inside Trump’s Gaza-Ukraine Playbook: Who Profits from Peace?
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Is Trump selling peace to the highest bidder? Is the Farage surge in Wales a warning shot for Westminster? Why is the UK going backwards again on mental health? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Get more from The Rest Is Politics with TRIP+. Enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access, live show ticket priority, our members’ newsletter, and private Discord community – plus exclusive mini-series like The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com. __________ The Rest Is Politics...
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A Deal With the Devil? Murdoch and New Labour (Part 2)
Friday, 17 October 2025
What was the nature of Rupert Murdoch's relationship with Margaret Thatcher? What led to News Corp's near-collapse in the late 1980s, and how did the company recover? Why and how did Tony Blair's "New Labour" court Rupert Murdoch's support in the 1990s? Alastair is joined by two-time Rupert Murdoch biographer, Michael Wolff, to discuss all this and more.Unlock the full five-part mini-series The Rise and Fall of Rupert Murdoch – only with TRIP+. Members enjoy bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and early access to new shows. Start your 7-day free trial today at therestispolitics.com ...
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