The Rest Is Politics: Leading
News & Politics
About
The Rest Is Politics’ Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart interview politicians, leaders, intellectuals, and more. From inside and outside of politics, guests join Rory and Alastair to discuss life, leadership, and the philosophy that’s led them to success in their chosen field. Their conversations cover key political events, global affairs, and the big ideas shaping the world today, offering listeners in-depth perspectives from those at the heart of change.The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclu...
Episodes
- 188. Will AI Give China or the US Total Power? (William MacAskill)
William MacAskill discusses the possibility of artificial intelligence granting 99% of global power to the US or China, the implications of autonomous weapons, and the influence of effective altruism on the race for artificial general inte…
- 187. Yanis Varoufakis: How The 2008 Crisis Revived Far-Right Populism
Yanis Varoufakis joins Rory and Alastair to discuss the 2008 financial crisis and its role in the rise of populism, including its connections to Trump and Brexit. They also explore the economic impact of geopolitical events.
- 186. President Aleksandar Vučić: Russia, China, and How Serbia Could Join the EU
President Aleksandar Vučić joins Rory and Alastair to discuss Serbia's foreign policy, its relationship with Russia, China, and the European Union, and the potential for EU enlargement. He also addresses the question of Kosovo's independen…
- 185. Can Labour Win Back Scotland? (Anas Sarwar)
Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, discusses with Rory and Alastair the upcoming election, the Labour Party in Scotland, and the rise of Islamophobia and politics of despair in Scotland and the UK.
- 184. President of Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins Alastair Campbell to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, the role of NATO, and the motivations behind Vladimir Putin's actions. They explore potential scenarios and misunderstandings surrounding the conflict.
- 183. From Bradford to Westminster: Faith, Identity, and Power (Naz Shah)
Naz Shah joins Rory and Alastair to discuss her journey into politics, shaped by her experiences growing up in Bradford and her family's interactions with the legal system. The conversation also explores the meaning of a political party "s…
- 182. Culture Wars, Identity, and What Needs To Change In Congress (Sarah McBride)
Rory and Alastair are joined by US Congresswoman Sarah McBride to discuss the state of trans rights in the US, necessary changes in Congress, and the Democratic party's strategies. They also explore culture wars and identity in politics.
- 181. Ai Weiwei: China, Censorship, and Dissidence Through Art
Ai Weiwei discusses his experiences with the Chinese government, censorship, and his art. He also shares his belief regarding censorship in the West, in an interview with Rory and Alastair.
- 180. The Only European Leader Defying Trump? (Pedro Sánchez)
In this episode of The Rest Is Politics, Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, joins Alastair and Rory. They discuss his leadership in Europe, Spain's economic performance, and strategies for addressing the rising far-right.
- 179. President Stubb: Trump’s Unlikely Best Friend
In this episode, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb joins Rory and Alastair to discuss his relationship with President Trump, his past role as Prime Minister, and the influence of the Global South on global affairs. They explore these top…
- 178. Gavin Newsom: The Next President Of The United States?
Governor Gavin Newsom discusses his interactions with Donald Trump, his predictions for the mid-terms, and the possibility of a presidential campaign in 2028. He joins hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart.
- 177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss Germany's reliance on Russian gas, the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany, and the role of respect in building a more resilient society.
- 176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)
Robert Malley joins Alastair and Rory to discuss the future of US-Iranian relations, the strategic thinking behind foreign policy, and his perspective on the viability of the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Malley, known for h…
- 175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell discuss national security threats with former GCHQ and MI5 official Jeremy Fleming. The conversation covers the risks posed by Russia and China, the threat of cybercrime, and the relationship between mini…
- 174. Taking On Europe's Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discusses her role in the Belarusian government in exile and her opposition to Lukashenko and Putin. She shares the story of her husband, Sergei's, imprisonment for opposing the Putin-backed regime.
- 173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia
Bill Browder joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss his experiences with the Russian state, the death of Sergei Magnitsky, and the origins of the war in Ukraine. They explore how Browder became a target of Russia and Putin.
- 172. Neil Kinnock: Trump, Thatcher, and Why Labour Lost In 1992 (Part 2)
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss the 1992 general election, his opposition to Margaret Thatcher, and challenges facing the Labour Party. This is the second part of their conversation.
- 171. Neil Kinnock: A Labour Rebel’s Path To Power (Part 1)
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock sits down with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss his early political career, his challenges with the party's 'ultra-left,' and his perspective on the Miners' strikes.
- 170. President of Moldova, Maia Sandu: Holding the Line Between Democracy and Putin
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell travel to Moldova to interview President Maia Sandu. Their conversation covers Russian disinformation, the implications of the war in Ukraine, and Moldova's prospects for European Union membership.
- 169. Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia vs. Musk, AI, and the Battle for Truth
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to discuss the platform's history, content moderation policies, and the impact of AI on the battle for truth.
- 168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership
This episode of The Rest Is Politics: Leading explores climate change topics, including GDP metrics, decarbonization, and political narratives surrounding Net Zero. It features segments from interviews with Dieter Helm, Mark Carney, Caroli…
- 167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by clinical psychologist and ordained Minister Mark Williams to discuss coping with grief, combating depression, and finding calm in chaotic environments. Please note: this episode includes dis…
- 166. John Swinney: Identity, Independence, and The Future of Scotland
Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart are joined by Scottish First Minister John Swinney to discuss the future of the Scottish independence movement, rebuilding trust in the SNP, and his relationship with Conservative Prime Ministers.
- 165. Anna Wintour: Culture, Influence, and the Power of Decisive Leadership
Fashion icon and former American Vogue Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss her approach to leadership, the importance of quick decision-making, and the cultural and economic influence of fashion.
- 164. Zack Polanski: Do The Greens Have What It Takes?
Alastair and Rory interview Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, to discuss the growth in party membership, his proposed economic reforms, and the party's current focus regarding environmental issues.
- 163. Prison Reform, Masculinity, and Restorative Justice (James Graham and Jacob Dunne)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by playwright James Graham and campaigner Jacob Dunne to discuss restorative justice, the criminal justice system, and the play The Punch. The conversation examines themes of masculinity and ho…
- 162. Gareth Southgate: Patriotism, Leadership, and How To Inspire Young Men
Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss his career, the lessons learned from his Euro 96 experience, leadership, and his views on inspiring the next generation.
- 161. Putin, Trump, and 500 Years of Resisting Russia (Radek Sikorski)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski to discuss his experiences as a refugee from communist Poland, the war in Ukraine, and the rise of populism in Europe.
- 160. Michael Gove: Education, Brexit, and Trump (Part 2)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Michael Gove for a second part of their discussion. They cover topics including Gove's legacy in education, his perspective on Brexit, and the impact of the Reform party.
- 159. Michael Gove: My Journey From Left to Right (Part 1)
Former Cabinet Minister Michael Gove joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss his political evolution, the influence of Rupert Murdoch, and his views on Israel. This is the first part of a two-part conversation regarding his tra…
- 158. Baroness Hale: The Supreme Court, Boris Johnson, and the ECHR
Baroness Hale, the first female President of the Supreme Court, joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell. They discuss her ruling on the suspension of Parliament, the influence of the Trump administration on the rule of law, and the evolut…
- 157. Ukraine, Diplomacy, and the Future of Europe (Dmytro Kuleba)
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss the war in Ukraine, diplomatic relations, and working with various world leaders.
- 156. Defence Secretary, John Healey: Is Britain Ready For War?
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Defence Secretary John Healey to discuss political strategy lessons from the 2012 Rotherham by-election, comparisons between 1997 and 2024, and defence policy.
- 155. Mike Pompeo On Russia, Trump, and China
Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart are joined by former US Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo. They discuss US foreign policy regarding Russia and China, and Pompeo's experience working with President Trump.
- 154. Maro Itoje: Inequality, Identity, and Hope
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by England rugby captain Maro Itoje to discuss leadership, global poverty, and the UK government's approach to inequality.
- 153. The Man Who Invented The World Wide Web (Tim Berners-Lee)
Sir Tim Berners-Lee joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss his invention of the World Wide Web. They explore why he chose to keep it free and open, and how to address modern challenges regarding internet sovereignty and tech c…
- 152. "A War on Children": A Generation in Gaza at Risk (James Elder)
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder joins Alastair and Rory to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The episode explores the challenges facing children in the region and the complexities of potential future rebuilding efforts.
- 151. Prime Minister of Norway: On Trump, Tech, and Brexit Lessons (Jonas Gahr Støre)
Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart interview the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre. They discuss Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, lessons from its relationship with the EU, and international politics.
- 150. Nicola Sturgeon: What Really Happened In The Scottish Referendum (Part 2)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Nicola Sturgeon for the second part of their interview. They discuss the media and Westminster's impact on the Scottish Referendum, the nature of spin rooms, and the state of misogyny in pol…
- 149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1)
Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss her upbringing, the influence of Margaret Thatcher on her career, and class distinctions in Scotland.
- 148. The President of Guyana: The Fastest Growing Economy in the World (Irfaan Ali)
Alastair Campbell interviews President of Guyana Irfaan Ali about the nation's rapid economic growth from oil, its environmental sustainability efforts, the legacy of slavery, and the state of West Indies cricket.
- 147. I Thought It Was a Prank - Then I Was Chancellor: Jeremy Hunt (Part 2)
Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt discusses his experience taking over the economy after the Liz Truss mini-budget collapse and fighting an election while anticipating a Conservative defeat. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart also ask him how…
- 146. The Rise and Fall of The Conservative Party: Jeremy Hunt (Part 1)
In this episode, former Chancellor and Health Minister Jeremy Hunt joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss his leadership race against Boris Johnson, challenges facing the NHS, and his view on Kemi Badenoch.
- 145. Gary Stevenson: Masculinity, Money, and the Myth of Meritocracy (Part 2)
Gary Stevenson, author of 'The Trading Game', joins Rory and Alastair to discuss his career as a trader, the potential impacts of a wealth tax, and the state of centrist economic politics. This is the second part of a discussion on masculi…
- 144. Gary Stevenson: From Teenage Drug Dealer to Millionaire Trader (Part 1)
Author Gary Stevenson joins Rory and Alastair to discuss his life and career trajectory, from his expulsion from school to his success as a trader in London. They also explore the role of class in finance and men's mental health in the wor…
- 143. Iraq, Trump, and America’s Slide to Authoritarianism (Congressman Seth Moulton)
Congressman Seth Moulton joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss his experience in the Iraq war, the political status of Donald Trump, and the role of military service in politics on The Rest Is Politics: Leading.
- 142. The Truth About Net Zero's Credibility (Emma Pinchbeck)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, to discuss energy costs, the climate crisis, and the UK's transition to green energy on The Rest Is Politics: Leading.
- 141. The President of Cyprus: Iran, Israel, and the Cyprus Issue (Nikos Christodoulides)
Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell are joined by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. They discuss Cyprus's role in Middle East conflicts, UK-Europe relations, and anti-corruption strategies.
- 140. The Next President of France? Gabriel Attal on Macron, Le Pen, and Israel-Iran
Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss Emmanuel Macron's popularity, international law regarding Israel and Iran, and coordination between France and the UK on the small boats crisis.
- 139. Speaker Kevin McCarthy: In Defence of Donald J. Trump
Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy joins Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell to discuss Donald Trump's political strategy, US-Europe relations, and his experience being ousted as Speaker of the House.