The Rest Is Politics: Leading

Is peace possible in the Middle East? What is the difference between a one-state solution and a two-state solution? What is the role of the international community in resolving the conflict between Israel-Hamas? Rory and Alastair are joined by Tony Klug, leading expert on the two-state solution and conflicts in the Middle East in today's bonus episode. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Pol...

Are increased military budgets needed following on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Will Europe take the same approach to regulating AI as China and the US? What is it like being a woman in front-bench politics? Rory and Alastair are joined by former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Spain and the Dean of the School of International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris to discuss all this and more in to...

Everyone leaves a legacy.  In their new podcast series, produced by Goalhanger & Wondery, Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the reputation they deserve. Search Legacy now, wherever you get your podcasts, or binge the entire season ad-free on Amazon Music. Learn more about your ad choi...

How important is the role of the international community in resolving conflict? Is peace possible in the Middle East? How relevant is the United Nations today? Rory and Alastair are joined by CEO of the Crisis Group, Dr Comfort Ero, to discuss all this and more in today's episode of Leading. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsl...

Can financial markets help fight climate change? What's the true economic theory behind austerity? What does the Bank of England actually do? Tune in to today's episode of Leading, where Mark Carney joins Rory and Alastair to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening...

How do we fix the polarisation in the US? What made him move from Hollywood movies to the world of politics? Does he still identify as a Republican? Rory and Alastair are joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss his childhood in Austria, coming to the US, marrying into the Kennedy family, and how he feels about politics today. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support th...

How prevalent is islamophobia in the UK? How can we help Jewish and Muslim communities at this time? Why have the Oslo Accords failed? Rory and Alastair are joined by the first Muslim woman Chair of the Conservative Party, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, to discuss her politics, life growing up in an immigrant family in Northern England, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and much more. TRIP Plus: B...

How does life in Silicon Valley compare to the United Kingdom? What was it like working with Elon Musk and Peter Thiel starting PayPal? Is the future of AI as bleak as it seems? Rory and Alastair are joined by tech entrepreneur, author, and fellow podcaster Reid Hoffman to discuss everything from the dangers of AI during an election to the benefits of friendships. TRIP Plus:  Become a member of Th...

70% of British land is agricultural - yet we don't speak about farming much. What is the politics of the UK's farming industry? How has Brexit affected British produce and trade? And what is it like to represent British farmers interests to a revolving door of politicians in government?  To answer these questions and more is the first woman leader of the National Farmers Union, Minette Batters. TR...

Why did Theresa May prefer Gordon Brown to Tony Blair as a Prime Minister? Does the former PM have any regrets over Brexit? How did things unfold behind the scenes after the Salisbury poisoning of a former Russian spy? In the second of two episodes, Rory and Alastair are joined once again by former Conservative Prime Minister, Theresa May. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email:...

What is Theresa May’s biggest regret from her time as Home Secretary? Why was the Hillsborough disaster such an abuse of power? What’s it like to stay on as an MP after occupying the highest office in the land? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by former Conservative Prime Minister, Theresa May. Want to hear next Monday’s episode - “Theresa May: Donald Trump, David Camero...

What is it like going from cabinet minister to Prime Minister? Are politicians in New Zealand more courteous than politicians in the UK? Why was New Zealand's Covid-19 response so effective? From the middle of his campaign trail for re-election, New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is here to discuss all these questions and more with Rory and Alastair in this week's Leading. TRIP Plus: Becom...

What is it like to run a metropolitan area? How does devolution impact the citizens of regional areas? Does party affiliation affect the decisions a mayor makes? Andy Burnham, Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Andy Street, Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands, meet with Rory and Alastair to discuss their two cities, their contrasting politics, and working towards their shared goal of furt...

How do we retain empathy when negotiating with a stranger who has a radically different worldview to our own? As the former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Cathy Ashton worked with many world leaders: Vladimir Putin in Russia, Serbia's Ivica Dacic, Kosovo's Hashim Thaci, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Former Leader of the House of Lords, Cathy Ashton has al...

What was it like for the Liberal Democrats in coalition? Would Ed Davey be prepared to work alongside Keir Starmer in another coalition government? Is tactical voting a good idea? Join Rory and Alastair as they speak with leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, to discuss all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free...

How much do you really know about the dangers of AI? Is it the best hope we have of surviving as a species, or will it lead to the destruction of humanity? On today's episode of Leading Alastair and Rory are joined by Mustafa Suleyman as he recounts his rise from North London council estate to the vanguard of the tech revolution. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support t...

How can we empower young women to seek positions of power? What was it like having a ringside seat during the Cameron-Clegg government? Is there more inequality between the sexes in the UK, Spain, or California? Leading international trade lawyer and vice chair of UBS Europe, Miriam González Durántez, speaks to Alastair and Rory about growing up in post-Franco Spain, the state of Spanish politics,...

What makes homo sapiens unique from other living creatures? What will happen to society if artificial intelligence dictates culture? Why have conservative parties the world over “committed suicide”?  Join Rory and Alastair for the second part of their discussion with historian and intellectual Yuval Noah Harari.  TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy...

From raving and "wheeler-dealing" to heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua's story is unmissable. Listen to Rory, Alastair and AJ talk about the culture of boxing, socialism, how imperative a positive mindset is to winning, and whether a highly anticipated fight with Tyson Fury will ever happen... Our second episode with Yuval Noah Harari will be released next Monday 14th August. If yo...

‘We are facing spiritual and moral destruction.’  Is Israeli democracy facing the most dangerous moment in its history? Yuval Noah Harari joins Rory and Alastair to discuss his first-hand experience of the protests against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu during this politically existential moment for the country. Our second episode with Yuval will be released next Monday, where he talks about...

How close are we to finding a cure for cancer? What did the government do wrong - in scientific terms - during the pandemic? Do Labour or the Tories have a proper plan to harness the power of British science? On today’s episode of Leading, Alastair and Rory are joined by Nobel Prize-winner Sir Paul Nurse to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plu...

Can we reverse the damage done to our polluted rivers and seas? What was it like to write Teenage Kicks? How has Brexit hamstrung the music industry? From punk singer to political activist, Feargal Sharkey is now the leading figure in the fight against sewage and water pollution in the UK. On today's episode of Leading he sits down with Alastair to discuss environmentalism, growing up in Derry, th...

What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of History’? On today’s episode of Leading, Alastair and Rory sit down with political scientist and writer Francis Fukuyama to answer all these questions, discuss why he coined the phrase ‘The End of History’, and...

What's it like to know how your obituary will read? What makes the democratic system the best for fighting against climate change? How does politics change a person, whether they like it or not? Alastair and Rory sit down with politician, academic, and writer Michael Ignatieff on today's episode of Leading to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to sup...

What was it like fighting New Labour? Why did Black Wednesday happen? How did Ian McKellen help bring the campaign for gay rights into Downing Street? Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all these questions with Sir John Major in the second of two episodes with the former Tory prime minister. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening...