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The Rest Is Politics

Goalhanger
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Artificial Intelligence
Iran
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
Russia
China
European Union
Andy Burnham
Israel
Gaza
United States
Brexit
Nigel Farage
NATO
Climate Change
JD Vance
Rupert Murdoch
Reform UK

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, en... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes688Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Latest Episodes

Why did Trump concede defeat so quickly and pledge to work with Democrats, and what does this mean for the final two years of his presidency, including his influence on the world stage? Was this a cost of living election defeat for Trump more than an... more

What has Rory uncovered on the road through JD Vance country, and how did he feel attending a Trump MAGA rally? What is driving the wave of youth protests sweeping across Europe, and could we see similar unrest in the UK? What will be the political l... more

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To hear the full episode, and the whole series, sign up at therestispolitics.com

This week, Alastair sits down with someone who – in his opinion – is the most persevilient person in politics, Lord David Blunkett. Blind since birth, he lost his fathe... more

Why are these US midterms so important, and what has Rory been seeing on the ground in Ohio? Could the Democrats really flip Texas, and is Trump alienating the Hispanic voters that were crucial to his 2024 victory? If the Republicans lose control of ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

David Blunkett
Former Labour MP, Sheffield Council leader and cabinet minister; blind since birth
Episode: David Blunkett on Blindness, Adversity and Why Politicians Give Up Too Easily
Issy Stanley
Reporter and newsletter writer covering US midterm campaigns
Episode: 584. Why Is Trump Losing Voters and Will Texas Turn Blue?
Lindsay Nicholson
Magazine editor and author of memoirs about grief and rebuilding her life
Episode: Kim Leadbeater, MP: My Sister's Murder and Why I Never Wanted To Go Into Politics
Kim Leadbeater
Labour MP for Batley and Spen and sister of Jo Cox
Labour Party
Episode: Kim Leadbeater, MP: My Sister's Murder and Why I Never Wanted To Go Into Politics
Alan Milburn
Former New Labour Cabinet Minister leading a review of youth employment and education
Episode: 580. How to Solve Britain’s Youth Unemployment Crisis
Michael Gove
British politician standing in for Rory Stewart
Conservative Party / UK Government
Episode: 578. Alastair and Michael Gove Disagree Agreeably on Brexit and Israel
Carlo Rovelli
Professor of Physics and author
CNR - Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (illustrative)
Episode: Why Nuclear War Is More Likely Than You Think (with Carlo Rovelli)
Yuval Noah Harari
Author of Sapiens and public intellectual
Author, public intellectual
Episode: The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari
Ed Miliband
Former Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader, UK Foreign Secretary
Labour Party / UK Government
Episode: 571. Rory and Alastair Challenge Ed Miliband on Israel-Palestine

Hosts

Alastair Campbell
Host and political commentator; prominent voice in UK politics.
Rory Stewart
Co-host, former diplomat and author with deep regional experience in policy discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 41.4k ratings
  • No more Gove please

    He’s insufferable.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Janezone
    Canada25 days ago
  • FGS

    Please no more of that waffling twerp, Gove. Apart from the irritating ‘errrr’ he uses a lot of words to say nothing. I loath this Chumocracy Alistair inclines towards. Let’s have some raw meat please.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Omianto
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent - but recent drop in standards

    I really enjoy this podcast but share the dismay about the choice of Gove as co-presenter. Or rather, that he is so little challenged on this occasion by AC…

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Andrew040
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Speak from experience or listen

    I enjoy the podcast. Especially the historical perspective they offer. However, recently it seems Rory has gotten AI fever and has started regurgitating hyperscaler propaganda. The latest series on all the things that could kill us is the last thing anyone needs... Build communities, look after each other, stand up to capital and we can make this a nice place for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    GrowingForest
    Switzerlanda month ago
  • Sanctimonious twaddle

    Having listened to this on and off for a long time, I can no longer submit myself to the unashamed self- promotion (and defence) of Alistair Campbell. The aversion to providing any genuine debate or counter argument, other than simpering acquiescence by Rory, is also particularly frustrating.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Longbottom Shire
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Polished hosting with informed guests; occasionally polarizing perspectives.
Critiques of bias exist, yet many praise the analytical depth and civil discourse.
Balanced, thoughtful debates but some listeners crave more diverse viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

584. Why Is Trump Losing Voters and Will Texas Turn Blue?
Q: What is our take on James Talarico's chances of turning Texas blue?
Stanley says the race is unusually competitive, with Latino voters especially important. She reports that economic pressures and fear of ICE enforcement are shifting some voters back toward Democrats, but declines to predict the result.
584. Why Is Trump Losing Voters and Will Texas Turn Blue?
Q: Why are these US midterms so important, and what are the key issues at play nationally and state by state?
The midterms will test the Trump administration's popularity. A Democratic win in either chamber could restore congressional oversight, though Stewart argues that without a supermajority, Democrats' influence would chiefly come through investigations and committees.
David Blunkett on Blindness, Adversity and Why Politicians Give Up Too Easily
Q: What can we do to make modern politics and modern politicians more perseverant?
Blunkett says perseverance is affected by how people treat one another and argues politics needs a reset built around empathy, better conduct and commitment to shared values.
David Blunkett on Blindness, Adversity and Why Politicians Give Up Too Easily
Q: Do you think if somebody is born with vision, able to see and then becomes blind, that's harder?
Blunkett says it is much harder because of the emotional trauma of losing sight, although memories of previously seen places can help someone picture their surroundings.
582. Netanyahu’s Fight for Survival and the Gaza Film That Shocked Rory and Alastair
Q: Why does Reform still get traction after everything that's come out about them?
Alastair Campbell points to a right-leaning media environment and the party's ability to attract attention, while arguing that coverage of corruption and a documentary exposing racist and misogynistic comments could now damage its support.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rest Is Politics

What is The Rest Is Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on sharp, wide-ranging political debate and international affairs, blending insider Westminster insights with global policy analysis. Episodes frequently unpack UK political reform, devolution, and social policy, while also examining climate leadership, migration, and security dynamics around the world. A distinctive strength is the duo's ability to juxtapose policy detail with personal storytelling, often featuring guests who bring on-the-ground or expert perspectives to complex problems. Listeners can expect thoughtful disagreement, data-informed arguments, and a mix of serious analysis with accessible, sometimes humorous, moments. The format often includes guest experts, policymakers, or regional leaders to illuminate h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rest Is Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rest Is Politics:

1. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
2. The Rest Is Politics: US
3. The News Agents
4. The Rest Is Classified
5. The News Agents - USA

How many episodes of The Rest Is Politics are there?

The Rest Is Politics launched 5 years ago and published 688 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Rest Is Politics?

Recent guests on The Rest Is Politics include:

1. David Blunkett
2. Issy Stanley
3. Lindsay Nicholson
4. Kim Leadbeater
5. Alan Milburn
6. Michael Gove
7. Carlo Rovelli
8. Yuval Noah Harari

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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