Podcast · 501 episodes
The Rest Is Politics
by Goalhanger · English
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 miniseries, early access to episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members chatroom. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Social Producer: Celine Charles Lead Video Editor: Josh Smith Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Bella Soames
Latest episodes
576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern IrelandUS-China relations after Trump’s meeting with Xi; tensions and contentious parades in Northern Ireland; renewed civil war risk in Ethiopia/Eritrea amid wider Red Sea/Horn of Africa instability; plus…30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 6 min
575. Alastair Reacts to Burnham’s Speech and Rory’s Viral StareAlastair Campbell and Rory Stewart react to Labour leader Andy Burnham’s Labour Party conference speech in Liverpool, focusing on both its delivery and its policy claims, plus what it means for…29 Sep 2026 · 55 min
Why Nuclear War Is More Likely Than You Think (with Carlo Rovelli)Carlo Rovelli argues nuclear war risk is higher than in the 1960s, despite public attention fading.24 Sep 2026 · 18 min
All episodes
576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern IrelandUS-China relations after Trump’s meeting with Xi; tensions and contentious parades in Northern Ireland; renewed civil war risk in Ethiopia/Eritrea amid wider Red Sea/Horn of Africa instability; plus…30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 19 chapters
575. Alastair Reacts to Burnham’s Speech and Rory’s Viral StareAlastair Campbell and Rory Stewart react to Labour leader Andy Burnham’s Labour Party conference speech in Liverpool, focusing on both its delivery and its policy claims, plus what it means for…29 Sep 2026 · 55 min · 16 chapters
Why Nuclear War Is More Likely Than You Think (with Carlo Rovelli)Carlo Rovelli argues nuclear war risk is higher than in the 1960s, despite public attention fading.24 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 6 chapters
574. Germany’s Political Disaster and Can the Lib Dems Fight Back?Germany’s election shocks (AfD and Die Linke gains) and what they mean for EU/NATO security; UK rural “reset” and inheritance tax/climate pressures; Lib Dem strategy for “middle third” voters; RNLI…23 Sep 2026 · 48 min · 19 chapters
573. Burnham and Carney vs. Trump, and the Diana DisputeThe episode is a wide-ranging discussion of the United Nations’ purpose amid a weakening rules-based international order.22 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 17 chapters
The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari“Thinking the Unthinkable” with Yuval Noah Harari on existential risks, especially AI as an “alien intelligence,” and why politics struggles to respond.17 Sep 2026 · 43 min · 13 chapters
572. Trump’s Next Middle East Crisis and Reform’s £72m MegadonationThe episode argues that Donald Trump’s focus on side issues (e.g., blaming Zelensky for fuel prices, praising United Ireland) has distracted from a rapidly worsening Middle East “chokepoint” crisis:…16 Sep 2026 · 58 min · 19 chapters
571. Rory and Alastair Challenge Ed Miliband on Israel-PalestineLabour Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband discusses UK sanctions over Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank, how Britain can affect the Israel-Palestine conflict, and what the UK should do amid the…15 Sep 2026 · 59 min · 18 chapters
"Our Generation Was Lied To": Two Gen Z MPs on Fixing PoliticsGen Z MPs in Andy Burnham’s Labour government discuss whether Britain’s “social contract” has broken, why young people feel “lied to,” and what policies could fix housing, student debt, childcare,…10 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 25 chapters
570. Why Trump Acts Like a Russian Asset and Miliband’s West Bank SanctionsUS envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s talks with Vladimir Putin and President Zelensky; whether Trump is a Russian asset; Mark Carney’s “constellation of middle powers”; Ukraine’s air-defense…9 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 24 chapters
569. Farage’s Foreign Funding Scandal and Germany’s Far-Right BreakthroughA two-country look at Europe’s hard-right momentum: Germany’s AfD breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt and Britain’s Reform UK foreign-funding scandal, plus how far-right politics erodes democratic norms.8 Sep 2026 · 55 min · 18 chapters
Becoming Burnham: The Manchester Arena Call, Westminster Plotting, and Keir vs AndyAndy Burnham’s Manchester era as Greater Manchester mayor, shaped by the Manchester Arena bombing, the COVID confrontation with Boris Johnson over tier funding, and Labour’s internal politics as he…3 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 7 chapters
568. MAGA's Plan to Make Britain Look Broken and Iceland's 'Brexit' MomentThe episode argues that Iceland’s “no” vote against EU accession talks weakens EU enlargement, mirrors Brexit-style disinformation tactics, and benefits Russia by keeping Europe divided.2 Sep 2026 · 56 min · 18 chapters
567. Who Really Benefits from AI and Will Data Centres Decide the Midterms?The episode argues that AI’s benefits are uneven and delayed while costs are immediate and visible—especially from data-center buildouts that are driving local backlash and shaping US midterm…1 Sep 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 19 chapters
Becoming Burnham: People Pleasing, The Shadow Years and Losing to Jeremy CorbynSteve Rotheram discusses Andy Burnham’s rise and setbacks in Labour leadership contests, including Burnham’s people-pleasing tendencies, the “shadow years” after defeats, and how losing to Jeremy…27 Aug 2026 · 12 min · 5 chapters
566. Carney vs. Trump and Alastair’s Advice for Burnham’s First PMQsThe US-Canada trade dispute under Trump (including demands over Canada’s external trade policy and French labeling), Mark Carney’s response, and whether the UK/EU should deepen ties with Canada as a…26 Aug 2026 · 1 h · 26 chapters
565. Zelenskyy’s Corruption Problem and Is History Repeating Itself in Germany?Andy Burnham’s Ukraine trip and the state of the war; Zelenskyy’s corruption/election crisis; and whether Germany’s far-right surge (AfD) and possible far-left cooperation threaten European unity and…25 Aug 2026 · 57 min · 16 chapters
Becoming Burnham: Thatcher, Hillsborough, and the Anger that Shaped Him | Part 1Steve Rotherham discusses Andy Burnham’s formation—working-class Liverpool roots, Catholic guilt and moral duty, anger shaped by Thatcher-era deindustrialization, and the lifelong impact of…20 Aug 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
564. Burnham’s Media Machine and West Bank Settler ImpunityTwo-part discussion on (1) UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s modern communications strategy and (2) underreported settler violence and Palestinian displacement in the West Bank.19 Aug 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 25 chapters
563. Britain’s Afghanistan Shame and the Jason Arday TragedyAnniversary of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and what 20 years of war achieved; whether Britain should engage/recognize the Taliban; how sanctions affect ordinary Afghans; plus a second segment on…18 Aug 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 24 chapters
Will Climate Action Go Backwards Under Burnham?UK climate and nature action as a national security emergency; whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham will “go backwards,” and how to build public consent.13 Aug 2026 · 53 min · 19 chapters
562. The Right’s War With Itself and Burnham’s Prisons ChallengeBritish right-wing politics’ internal collapse (Conservatives vs Reform vs Restore Britain), Kemi Badenoch’s strategy of chasing populist right voters, and Andy Burnham’s challenge over prison…12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 16 chapters
561. How Trump’s Chaos Keeps Splintering the World OrderHow Trump-era US retrenchment and “weakened deterrence” are driving regional military realignments (a Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan “almost NATO” alliance), while Russia’s hybrid/drone attacks are probing…11 Aug 2026 · 57 min · 17 chapters
The Truth About Climate Migration – It's More Complicated Than You ThinkClimate-driven migration and the myth of “climate refugees,” using Tuvalu’s “digital twin” and legal/protection gaps for people displaced by drought, heat waves, and storms.6 Aug 2026 · 21 min · 7 chapters