The Rest Is Politics

Latest Episodes:

Beating Populism: How To Fight Back Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Are we living in a 1930s moment in history? How can leaders fight back against populism? And is Franklin D Roosevelt the answer?

Join Alastair Campbell and Liam Byrne for part 2 of their discussion on why populism is winning and how to beat it.

To hear the whole Populism series, sign up at therestispolitics.com

Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: James Clayden

Producer: India Dunkley

Exec Producer: Tom Whiter

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522. Has Hungary Shown Britain How to Beat Farage? (Question Time) Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Is Trump's brand now toxic for the global far-right populist movement? Why are crypto billionaires pouring millions into Reform UK? Are we witnessing the death of two-party politics across not just England but Scotland and Wales, too?

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

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: James Clayden, Lorcan Moullier

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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521. Trump’s Naval Blockade: Is America Becoming a Rogue State? Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

As Trump unleashes yet more global economic turmoil with his aggressive Strait of Hormuz blockade, is he creating a state of ‘permanent emergency’ and reshaping the world order in ways nobody can predict? Why did JD Vance give up on negotiations with Iran after just 21 hours, and why is the 'ceasefire' already collapsing? What surprised Alastair most about his interview with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy?

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

If you’re Gen Z, take our survey ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and if you’re 29 or over, use this ⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠.

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Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at https://fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription.

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Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, Bruno Di Castri

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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520. Orbán Ousted: Is The Tide Turning Against Far-Right Populism? Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Does Hungary ousting its far-right prime minister prove rightwing populists and autocrats can be beaten around the world, from Trump and Farage to Netanyahu and Milei? Does JD Vance have the midas touch, after his desperate last-ditch efforts last week to get Orbán re-elected? What does Orbán’s departure mean for Putin, Ukraine, and European unity?

Join Alastair as he reacts to the end of Viktor Orbán's sixteen-year reign over Hungary.

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Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

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, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord.

The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at https://fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription.

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

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Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, Adam Thornton

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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519. Trump's NATO Threat & a Critical Election in Hungary (Question Time) Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Following Trump's threats to remove the US from NATO, is the alliance effectively finished? After nearly two decades in power, could Viktor Orbán finally be unseated in Hungary's upcoming election? Has Keir Starmer learned the lessons from the Democrats' 2024 loss ahead of May's local elections?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Alastair Campbell as they answer all these questions and more.

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Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

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 ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅

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Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Adam Thornton, Lorcan Moullier

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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518. Is Trump a Fascist and is His War on Iran Unwinnable? Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Has Trump crossed the line from right-wing populist to fascist? Is he fighting a war with Iran he cannot win? Is Iraq being dragged in against its will?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Alastair Campbell as they answer all these questions and more.

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Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

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 ✅

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Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, James Clayden

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

What is populism, and why is it so attractive to voters? Which human instincts do populists tap into to get votes? And what does a populist-led country look like?

Alastair is joined by Liam Byrne, MP who served in both Blair and Brown's government, and who has been conducting deep research into the rise of populism.

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: Kieron Leslie

Producer: India Dunkley

Exec Producer: Tom Whiter

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517. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Cuba? (Question Time) Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Does Trump already have one eye on regime change in Cuba, as the US faces strategic failure in the Iran war? Who is more dangerous to the world right now, Putin or Netanyahu? Should Starmer be doing more to protect children from the harms of social media, and what does his slow approach to this issue reveal about his style of government?

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

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Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

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 ✅

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Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Bruno Di Castri

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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

516. Trump’s Iran Delusion and the Limits of American Power Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Why has opposition to the Iran war been so muted within Trump’s America, and how is the US uniquely insulated from the worst impacts of the war? Do American tech billionaires now pose a serious threat to British democracy – alongside Iran, Russia, and China? Should the UK follow in the footsteps of South Australia and ban political donations entirely?

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

__________

Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory.

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 ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅

__________

Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com

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Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith, Adam Thornton, Lorcan Moullier

Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne

Producer: Evan Green

Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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

Nineteen Eighty-Four: Dominic Sandbrook on Big Brother, Surveillance, and Fear (The Book Club) Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

Why is 1984 as relevant today as when it was published? Who is Big Brother, and why is he so powerful? What was George Orwell's intention when creating the world of 1984, and what does it tell us about politics today?

Alastair Campbell is joined by Dominic Sandbrook to delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of 1984, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.

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