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The Rest Is Politics

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes676Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Latest Episodes

How has Alastair managed to come back from some of the darkest places in his life, overcoming a breakdown while in the public eye? Is his obsession with work unhealthy, or necessary to achieving great things and what does it cost his family and those... more

In Britain, we spend £25 on benefits for every £1 we spend helping young people find work. So why have successive governments failed to fix this – and what does Alan Milburn’s review, due this autumn, say needs to change? How have countries with the ... more

How does Marco Rubio’s Parthenon speech fit the Trump administration’s ideas on European “civilisational erasure” – and how does it depart from traditional Republican rhetoric? With Pete Hegseth’s announcement of America’s first public execution sinc... more

Will there be another EU referendum, despite Andy Burnham promising not to re-run old Brexit arguments? Will Michael Gove ever criticise Israel's actions in Palestine, and if not, why not? What do the charges against Manchester City tell us about Man... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Gove
Former Tory Cabinet Minister, standing in for Rory Stewart
Conservative Party
Episode: 577. Is Badenoch Finally Stopping Farage and Why Are French Schools on Fire?
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
Rosie Wrighting
PPS at the Ministry of Defence and MP for Kettering
Labour Party
Episode: "Our Generation Was Lied To": Two Gen Z MPs on Fixing Politics
Keir Mather
MP for Selby and junior minister at the Department of Transport
Labour Party
Episode: "Our Generation Was Lied To": Two Gen Z MPs on Fixing Politics
Paul Rondsheimer
Senior executive at BILT Seitung; hosts Germany-focused podcast
BILT Seitung
Episode: 569. Farage’s Foreign Funding Scandal and Germany’s Far-Right Breakthrough
Isabelle Stanley
Writer of the podcast's brilliant newsletter
Newsletter team
Episode: 568. MAGA's Plan to Make Britain Look Broken and Iceland's 'Brexit' Moment
Steve Rotheram
Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, close ally of Burnham
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Episode: Becoming Burnham: People Pleasing, The Shadow Years and Losing to Jeremy Corbyn

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 41.1k ratings
  • No more Gove please

    He’s insufferable.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Janezone
    Canada5 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 Kingdom6 days 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 Kingdom7 days 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
    Switzerland8 days 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 Kingdom8 days 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.

578. Alastair and Michael Gove Disagree Agreeably on Brexit and Israel
Q: So first of all, yes or no, Michael, do you think we will have another Europe referendum, and which options would you back if we did?
I don't think there will be another referendum; if there were, I would lean toward the status quo, and I would support a path that aligns with limiting disruption while pursuing closer terms with the EU, potentially following a general election to seek a mandate.
The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari
Q: What policy options should the UK or Europe consider to stay sovereign in an AI-driven world?
Harari outlines three main options—accepting US vassalage, rejoining and integrating with Europe, or building independent AI capabilities; he also highlights an open-source alternative as a potential fourth path, each with significant costs and strategic implications.
The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari
Q: Why is the speed of AI development a problem for governance?
Because AI operates on a superhuman timescale, governments struggle to understand and regulate it in real time, which could lead to a loss of control if policy does not keep pace with technological change.
571. Rory and Alastair Challenge Ed Miliband on Israel-Palestine
Q: So, Ed, we had well over a thousand questions from listeners... what does Britain hope to achieve with these sanctions?
Miliband explains the sanctions are deliberately targeted at the illegal occupation, designed to pressure the authorities responsible for settlement expansion while avoiding a broad de-legitimization of Israel, and emphasizes building coalitions with partners to support a two-state framework.
569. Farage’s Foreign Funding Scandal and Germany’s Far-Right Breakthrough
Q: There's talk about banning the AfD. Is that a feasible strategy, or could it backfire politically?
Experts debate a ban's effectiveness; while it might appear to be a solution, it could push the party underground or inflame anti-establishment sentiments, potentially strengthening support and alienating voters who feel threatened by the status quo.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 News Agents - USA
5. The Rest Is Classified

How many episodes of The Rest Is Politics are there?

The Rest Is Politics launched 5 years ago and published 676 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. Michael Gove
2. Carlo Rovelli
3. Yuval Noah Harari
4. Ed Miliband
5. Rosie Wrighting
6. Keir Mather
7. Paul Rondsheimer
8. Isabelle Stanley

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