The Rest Is Politics
Episodes
576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern Ireland
Hosts Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell analyze the shifting US-China dynamic, noting Trump’s pivot from confrontation to engagement during Xi’s visit.
575. Alastair Reacts to Burnham’s Speech and Rory’s Viral Stare
Roy Stewart and Alastair Campbell analyze Andy Burnham’s powerful Labour Party conference speech, praising his confident delivery and bold policy…
Why Nuclear War Is More Likely Than You Think (with Carlo Rovelli)
Professor Carlo Rovelli joins Rory Stewart to discuss the rising risk of nuclear war, arguing that the current danger exceeds that of the Cold War.
574. Germany’s Political Disaster and Can the Lib Dems Fight Back?
The episode analyzes Germany’s political earthquake, where the far-right AfD topped polls in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the far-left Die Linke won in Berlin, leaving the CDU with zero seats.
573. Burnham and Carney vs. Trump, and the Diana Dispute
Hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart discuss the UN General Assembly, analyzing the institution's decline amid US funding cuts and the rise of middle-power alliances led by Canada’s Mark Carney.
The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari
Rory Stewart interviews Yuval Noah Harari to explore existential risks like AI, framing them as "alien" disruptions that challenge human comprehension.
572. Trump’s Next Middle East Crisis and Reform’s £72m Megadonation
Rory Stewart and Alair Campbell analyze the Houthis’ seizure of the Red Sea, which blocks oil routes and exposes Trump’s failed Iran strategy.
571. Rory and Alastair Challenge Ed Miliband on Israel-Palestine
New UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband discusses the government’s recent sanctions against Israeli settlers and its declaration of the occupation’s illegality.
"Our Generation Was Lied To": Two Gen Z MPs on Fixing Politics
Host Vicky Spratt interviews Rosie Winterton and Kier Mather, two young Labour MPs, to discuss the economic struggles of Generation Z, including housing costs, student debt, and mental health.
570. Why Trump Acts Like a Russian Asset and Miliband’s West Bank Sanctions
This episode examines the fallout from Trump’s envoys meeting Putin, arguing that US diversion of Patriot missiles to Iran leaves Ukraine vulnerable to Russian ballistic strikes.
569. Farage’s Foreign Funding Scandal and Germany’s Far-Right Breakthrough
This episode examines the rise of far-right nationalism in Europe, focusing on the AfD’s historic surge in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt election and the resulting crisis for Chancellor Merz.
Becoming Burnham: The Manchester Arena Call, Westminster Plotting, and Keir vs Andy
In this episode of The Rest Is Politics, hosts discuss Andy Burnham’s rise from Mayor of Greater Manchester to Prime Minister, featuring guest Steve Rotherham.
568. MAGA's Plan to Make Britain Look Broken and Iceland's 'Brexit' Moment
The Rest Is Politics analyzes Iceland’s rejection of EU membership talks, linking it to broader geopolitical shifts and the rise of pro-Russian far-right movements in France and Germany.
567. Who Really Benefits from AI and Will Data Centres Decide the Midterms?
Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell debate the political and societal implications of AI, focusing on the backlash against energy-intensive data…
Becoming Burnham: People Pleasing, The Shadow Years and Losing to Jeremy Corbyn
Steve Rotherham discusses Andy Burnham’s political rise and his 2015 Labour leadership campaign against Jeremy Corbyn.
566. Carney vs. Trump and Alastair’s Advice for Burnham’s First PMQs
The hosts analyze Trump’s coercive trade demands on Canada, framing them as an attempt at subjugation rather than mere economic policy.
565. Zelenskyy’s Corruption Problem and Is History Repeating Itself in Germany?
Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart discuss Andy Burnham’s first foreign trip to Kiev, analyzing Ukraine’s internal challenges, including corruption…
Becoming Burnham: Thatcher, Hillsborough, and the Anger that Shaped Him | Part 1
Hosted by Steve Rotherham, this episode explores Andy Burnham’s rise to Prime Minister through their shared history as mayors and activists.
564. Burnham’s Media Machine and West Bank Settler Impunity
Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart analyze Andy Burnham’s modern communication strategy, praising his authentic social media use while debating its limits against traditional media scrutiny.
563. Britain’s Afghanistan Shame and the Jason Arday Tragedy
Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart discuss the fifth anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, joined by Rory’s wife Shoshana, who shares insights from her NGO work on the ground.