Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

News EN ↓ 583 episodes

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, engaging discussions on British and global politics. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever minis...

Author

Goalhanger

Episodes

130. Question Time: Bumping into Boris Johnson, the Hong Kong handover, and One-nation Tories vs. Blairites 11.05.2023 34:13

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 a wide range of listener questions. LEADING - Gerry Adams: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP an...

129. Sunak at a crossroads, weaponising 'woke', and the Wagner Group 10.05.2023 45:31

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 wait for King Charles? Alastair and Rory answer all these questions and more on today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. LEADING - Gerry Adams: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest...

128. Local Elections: Who's the real winner? 05.05.2023 28:06

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 Politics' analysis of the local elections. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount boo...

127. Question Time: Communists in Austria, the collapse of First Republic, and the political power of Ben and Jerry's 04.05.2023 34:10

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 questions, as well as discussing their favourite museums, chauvinism in sport, Vice President Kamala Harris, and ageism in politics. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus:...

126. King Charles III's coronation, the geopolitics of net-zero, and the power of oracy 03.05.2023 50:29

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 will discuss this historic event, plus Richard Sharp's exit from the BBC, the impending energy crisis in Europe, and the importance of teaching speaking skills. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newslett...

125. Question Time: Murdoch mayhem, the politics of nepotism, and Alastair Campbell MP? 27.04.2023 34:32

Will Alastair ever stand as an MP? What's going on with Rupert Murdoch at Fox News? How prevalent is nepotism in UK politics? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more on this episode of TRIP Question Time. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and L...

124. Politicians vs. civil servants, evacuating Sudan, and Diane Abbott 26.04.2023 56:30

What does Dominic Raab's resignation tell us about the battle between civil servants and ministers? How did Rory lead an evacuation during his time in Iraq? What next for Diane Abbott? Tune in to hear Alastair and Rory discuss all this and more in this week's main episode of TRIP. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to...

123. DOMINIC RAAB RESIGNS 21.04.2023 28:03

Why has Dominic Raab resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and what does it mean for the future of the Conservative government? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss all this and more on this evening's emergency podcast. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Le...

122. Question Time: Leaking Liz Truss, the funniest person in politics, and ‘Killing Thatcher’ 20.04.2023 30:27

Is leaking a way to get ahead in politics? What did Paddy Ashdown do to Rory? Should Joe Biden run for President again? Listen as Alastair and Rory answer these questions and more… Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book pri...

121. Chaos in Sudan, Biden vs. Sunak, and the fall of Braverman? 19.04.2023 53:28

Is the Special Relationship between the UK and the US falling apart? How can the world come to Sudan's aid? And is Suella Braverman finally on her last legs? Tune in to hear Alastair and Rory discuss all this and more on today's episode of The Rest is Politics. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit...

120. Question Time: Macron and Xi Jinping, the rise of the right, and Tony Blair vs. UFOs 13.04.2023 43:34

Why is France trying to boost its ties with China? How do you define populism? Does Rory have any plans to present more history and travel documentaries? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions, as well as discussing Tony Blair's thoughts on UFOs, the benefits of silent meditation retreats, and more... TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-fr...

119. Starmer's most controversial move yet, the truth behind Vladimir Putin, and the Good Friday Agreement 12.04.2023 59:24

Has Keir Starmer lost Labour the moral high ground after his attack on Rishi Sunak? What is Vladimir Putin really like behind closed doors? Will peace and power-sharing return to Northern Ireland, 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement? Tune in to hear Alastair and Rory answer all this and more on today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to...

118. Question Time: Democracy under threat, rampant sewage, and campaign songs 06.04.2023 31:33

Is the decline of local news destroying the fabric of our democracy? Should there be a cabinet position dealing with AI? Should private schools deal with Ofsted inspections too? Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book...

117. Trump's indictment, Dover delays, and Sanna Marin loses 05.04.2023 54:03

How will Donald Trump's arraignment unfold? What is happening at the border between the United Kingdom and France? What was the significance of King Charles' visit to Germany? Rory and Alastair discuss these topics, plus we say goodbye to the world's youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin of Finland, Russia assumes UN Security Council presidency, and Sunak launches new grooming gang taskforce. TRIP...

116. Question Time: Corbyn and Cummings, Cool Britannia, and Ofsted 30.03.2023 30:47

What's the story about Cummings and Corbyn on the podcast? Should GB News be considered a news channel? How did Britpop and Cool Britannia affect the 1997 election result? Tune in to today's Question Time pod to hear all these answered and more. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl LEADING: Follow this link to hear our episode with Gary Lineker: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus:...

115. France on fire, fake Korean cash, and a new Scottish nationalism 29.03.2023 52:47

Would Labour ever endorse Scottish independence? Why is France on fire? And how did Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng end up talking to a fake Korean consultancy firm? Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3zhYAIl LEADING: Follow this link to hear our episode with Gary Lineker: pod.link/1665265193 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-f...

114. Question Time: Banks in crisis, Imran Khan, and Blair on The Simpsons 23.03.2023 35:38

Could Labour inherit a junior doctor problem? What can be done about the rising costs of childcare? And what do Rory and Alastair really see in each other? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more in this week’s Question Time. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book pri...

113. Iraq: the fallout, Scotland at a crossroads, and ‘sneaky beakies’ 22.03.2023 57:47

In a week where we've had bank bailouts and a meeting where Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping hinted at a dangerous anti-western alliance, is there much to feel positive about? Join Rory and Alastair as they cover these topics, as well as Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempted overhaul of the judicial system in Israel and Rory’s recent visit to Turkey. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus t...

112. Iraq: The Legacy 16.03.2023 55:20

It's 20 years since the invasion of Iraq - but what is its legacy? Tony Blair said to Parliament in March 2003 that what happened in Iraq would ‘determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation’. Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss the implications of the Iraq invasion and whether Blair’s speech did prove to be true... TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Pl...

111. The Iraq War 15.03.2023 57:22

20 years on from the invasion of Iraq, Rory speaks to Alastair about the build up, aftermath, and legacy of the event. The second episode in this series, 'Iraq: The Legacy', will be released tomorrow. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, joi...

110. Gary Lineker, BBC in crisis, and small boats 11.03.2023 46:20

After an extraordinary and bizarre week where a tweet from Gary Lineker led to a crisis at the national broadcaster, Rory and Alastair try to make sense of the BBC’s handling of the situation, question its governance structure, and explain why the government’s refugee policy is flawed. Editor's note: Gary Lineker is the co-owner of Goalhanger Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

109. Question Time: Powerful speeches, population control and Isabel Oakeshott 09.03.2023 30:48

What is the best speech Rory and Alastair have ever heard? Why is the cabinet so big? Would you rather trust Isabel Oakeshott or Xi Jinping with your phone? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more in this week's Question Time. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book pr...

108. Hancock’s humiliation and the end for Johnson 08.03.2023 55:56

More than 100,000 WhatsApp messages have been leaked to the Daily Telegraph revealing private conversations between senior politicians and government officials during the height of the pandemic. But what do they tell us about the people leading our country, and how will Hancock recover from this? Rory and Alastair discuss this scandal, plus reflect on the news of Kier Starmer's new Chief of Staff...

107. Question Time: Bernie Sanders vs. Michael Foot, Universal Basic Income, and Boris Johnson's NATO ambitions... 02.03.2023 34:09

Is there any point in writing to your MP? What are the benefits of UBI? Why do we say 'Mrs' Thatcher, but not 'Mr' Suank? Listen to hear all these questions answered, plus Rory and Alastair's cultural recommendations for the week, their thoughts on the chances of Boris Johnson becoming the next NATO Secretary General, and what to do if you're losing a loved one to conspiracy theories... TRIP Plus:...

106. Sunak’s Windsor win, Labour’s path to victory, and Beijing’s view of Moscow 01.03.2023 52:40

Has Rishi Sunak pulled off the biggest victory of his premiership? How does China view the Russian invasion of Ukraine? And what does Alastair make of Keir Starmer’s big policy 'missions'? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discor...