The Rest Is Politics

Latest Episodes:

498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do the events of the last week make a Farage-led Reform government more likely?

As Starmer's top aid Morgan McSweeney resigns, Alastair shares his honest thoughts on the shattering events of the last week.

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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497. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Iran? (Question Time) Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Is Trump deliberately wielding chaos as a negotiating tactic with Iran? When did it become acceptable for world leaders to openly interfere in each other's elections, as seen with Orbán's international campaign support? How vulnerable is Starmer's position heading into the Gorton and Denton by-election?

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss all these questions and more.

*If you are experiencing technical issues with this episode on Apple Podcasts, please delete and redownload the episode*

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: James Clayden

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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496. Mandelson’s Disgrace: How Epstein Poisoned Our Politics Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

What do Peter Mandelson's ties to Jefferey Epstein reveal about the influence of the rich and powerful in British politics? Why did so many prominent figures continue associating with and supporting Jefferey Epstein after his conviction in 2008? How do wealthy elites exploit political systems, and what structural reforms can protect democracies from corruption?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, James Clayden

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners*

What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about the state of democracy and truth in the Trump era? Is there still a viable political future for a Conservative centrist movement in British politics? Can rhetoric and political communication genuinely change the course of history?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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Listen to The Coming Wave, narrated by Mustafa Suleyman here: spotify.link/TheComingWave_PRHUK_Dec25

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Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Adam Thornton

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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494. Carney’s Trump Fightback and the Starmer-Burnham Fallout Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Can the 'middle powers' escape Trump's grip and build a world beyond American and Chinese dominance? What is the 'Board of Peace' and why is Trump its chairman for life? Is Starmer’s ‘control-freakery’ shooting Labour in the foot?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, Lorcan Mouillier

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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What If the AI Revolution Isn’t Real? Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

Is AI a revolution, or just another slow-moving general technology? Are we mistaking hype for inevitability? And, can a technology this unreliable really reshape civilisation?

Rory Stewart and Matt Clifford are joined by award winning computer scientist, Arvind Narayanan.

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

Instagram: ⁠@restispolitics⁠

Twitter: ⁠@restispolitics⁠

Email: ⁠therestispolitics@goalhanger.com⁠

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Lorcan Moullier

Producer: India Dunkley

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Tom Whiter

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493. Trump Insults NATO Troops Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Why has Trump chosen to denigrate the sacrifice of allied soldiers? Are Keir Starmer and other NATO leaders finally reaching a breaking point with the US President? And what does this mean for the future of the Western alliance at such a critical moment?

Join Alastair and Anthony Scaramucci, Trump’s former Communications Director and co-host of The Rest is Politics US, as they answer all these questions and more.

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Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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492. Should Europe Boycott the World Cup? (Question Time) Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Could Trump’s continued Greenland threats spark international boycotts of the World Cup? Does Robert Jenrick’s chaotic defection to Reform strengthen or weaken the Conservatives? How stable is the ceasefire in Syria, and should it be celebrated as a major victory for Trump?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/politics.

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Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your free trial at ⁠therestispolitics.com⁠ to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord.

__________

Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

__________

Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Adam Thornton

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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491. Trump at Davos: Rory and Alastair React Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

What does Trump's rambling speech to world leaders at Davos mean for Greenland? Are Europe and the UK ready to act together against Trump's threats? And what lessons does Mark Carney's approach to Trump offer on how middle powers should respond to Trump's brazen foreign policy?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/politics.

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__________

Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

__________

Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, James Clayden

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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490. Trump’s Greenland Ultimatum: What Next? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Is the US now an adversary for Europe? Has Europe's appeasement strategy failed? How should NATO respond if appeasement is no longer an option?

Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.

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The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/politics.

Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee ✅

Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord.

__________

Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

__________

Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

General Manager: Tom Whiter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices