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What is the point of the House of Lords today? Does Elon Musk have presidential ambitions? How bad do Downing Street comms have to get before Alastair steps in?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer al...
· 35 min 8 sec
How have the first 100 days of the new Labour government gone? Who will be the next leader of the Tory party? What is happening in Japanese politics right now?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all...
· 50 min 27 sec
How does militant socialism compare to Corbynism? How did Labour’s ‘remain’ campaign go so wrong? And what should Labour be doing about immigration? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair ar...
· 42 min 39 sec
How many civilian casualties is too many: what defines a proportionate war? What makes a good civil servant according to Alastair and Rory. And, why should children learn how to disagree agreeably? Jo...
· 37 min 15 sec
About the Hosts
Alastair Campbell is a prominent British figure best known for his role as Tony Blair's spokesman, press secretary, and director of communications and strategy during Blair's time as Prime Minister. Since leaving his full-time government role in 2003, Campbell has diversified his career, becoming a prolific author, podcaster, mental health advocate, and political strategist. He has written nineteen books, including diaries, novels, and non-fiction works on topics ranging from politics to mental health.
Beyond his media endeavours, Campbell remains actively involved in politics and campaigning, both in the UK and internationally. He has advised various political parties and leaders, including the Albanian Socialist Party and French Presidents François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron. Campbell is also a dedicated mental health advocate, drawing from his personal experiences with depression and addiction to support various charities and initiatives. His work in this area has been recognied with awards and an honorary fellowship from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Additionally, he maintains interests in sports, particularly football, and continues to engage in public speaking, consulting, and media appearances on a wide range of topics.
Rory Stewart has had a diverse and accomplished career spanning academia, writing, adventure, politics, and diplomacy. After serving in the Army and diplomatic service, he gained recognition for his 6,000-mile walk across Asia, including Afghanistan shortly after the US invasion, which he documented in his award-winning book "The Places In Between." Stewart's experiences also include serving as Deputy Governor in Iraq, founding a charity in Kabul, and teaching at Harvard. His adventures and insights have been chronicled in multiple best-selling books.
Stewart's political career in the UK saw him rise to prominent positions within the Conservative Party. He served as an MP, chaired the Defence Select Committee, and held ministerial posts, including Secretary of State for International Development.
His bid for Conservative Party leadership, though unsuccessful, gained unexpected support and introduced a more moderate, progressive tone to the contest. Currently, Stewart is a Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches politics and international relations, focusing on international development, intervention in fragile states, and the broader crisis in contemporary politics.