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The Rest is Politics
Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world - former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart - join forces from across the political divide.
The Rest Is Politics lifts the lid on the secrets of Westminster, offering an insider’s view on politics at home and abroad, while bringing back the lost art of disagreeing agreeably.
More Episodes
In an emergency podcast, Rory and Alastair react to the news that Boris Johnson is standing down as a Conservative MP with immediate effect after an investigation into the Partygate scandal found he m...
· 26 min 58 sec
Should Rory and Alastair switch allegiance to the Liberal Democrats? Why is there no happy news? What was handling the foot and mouth disease crisis like? Listen to Rory and Alastair answer these ques...
· 36 min 33 sec
Should the government be taking itself to court over the covid inquiry? Rory and Alastair disagree (just about) agreeably on this one. Also, how is the USA's attempt to create a bloc against China cau...
· 58 min 18 sec
For former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, the personal is the political. Growing up in Belfast with a deeply personal link to sectarian violence, her aim as President was to promote unity and bui...
· 52 min 54 sec
Did John Major lose in 1997, or did Tony Blair win? Would building on golf courses in London solve the housing crisis? How useful is the Freedom of Information Act? Hear the answers to these questions...
· 42 min 41 sec
Artificial Intelligence: is it the future of humanity, or the beginning of the end? Rory and Alastair take a deep dive into the subject and the political complications of advancing technologies in the...
· 59 min 44 sec
The role of Downing Street Chief of Staff was created for him, and he was the only senior advisor to last the whole period of Tony Blair's premiership - but who is the real Jonathan Powell, and how di...
· 57 min 5 sec
Should we start building on the Green Belt? Is there a fun side to politics? Why don't ministers resign anymore without being pushed?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all this and more on toda...
· 34 min 28 sec
How was the G7 formed, and what is the point of it today? What will the consequences be for Suella Braverman following her speeding scandal? How does religion influence politics?Join Alastair and Rory...
· 59 min 25 sec
How does the Irish Taoiseach feel about Brexit? Would Leo Varadkar consider himself a Tory in the English parliamentary system? Does Ireland have a problem with alcohol?Leo Varadkar speaks to Rory and...
· 39 min 23 sec
Have you heard? Alastair has written a book! 'But What Can I Do?' is out now.As a Friday bonus, here's an extract from the audiobook version for you to enjoy.To hear the whole audiobook, you can find...
· 29 min 8 sec
Was Hillary Clinton arrogant in her comments about Emmanuel Macron? What's the best way to reform UK prisons? How much do you know about sporrans?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all this and...
· 30 min 16 sec
What next for Turkey? How does Starmer aim to reform Labour? Why should we be paying attention to events in Thailand?Tune in to hear Rory and Alastair discuss all this and more on today's episode of T...
· 48 min 34 sec
Does George Osborne regret leaving politics? Does he think Sunak can win the next general election? What did he admire about New Labour, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown?Tune in to today's episode of Lead...
· 1 hr 9 min 37 sec
Do manifestos matter? What exactly is a free port? Is there a real difference between One-nation Conservatives and Blairites?Join Alastair and Rory for this week's Question Time episode as they answer...
· 37 min 13 sec
Have the local elections changed how Sunak will run Number 10? What's going on with the Wagner Group and Vladimir Putin? How did the coronation attendees manage to go to the toilet during the long wai...
· 48 min 31 sec
How much do you know about Thatcher's back channels with Irish republicans during the Troubles? What are Gerry Adams' emotions towards the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing, looking back now in 2023? Who we...
· 47 min 22 sec
Was this a win for Starmer? Or should he be disappointed? What does this tell us about next year's general election?Alastair and Rory have hit the emergency pod button - listen now to hear The Rest is...
· 31 min 6 sec
What role do corporations play in political activism? Could the local elections results push forward a general election? Are communists having a resurgence in Europe? Rory and Alastair answer these qu...
· 37 min 10 sec
This Saturday May 6th, the UK will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. But what is the political impact of such an event? And what is the relevance of the monarchy today? Rory and Alastair w...
· 53 min 29 sec