The Rest Is Politics
Episodes
511. Is Blair Undermining Starmer on Iran? (Question Time)
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Tony Blair criticising Starmer’s approach to Trump’s warmongering in the Middle East? Should European leaders be calling out Trump’s lies...
510. How The Iran War Is Spiralling Into a Global Crisis
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Has Trump unleashed a sequence of events nobody in the world can control? How serious are the global consequences? Is this war even more dangerous tha...
The Future of Warfare: Anthropic vs Open AI
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is Europe sleepwalking into American AI dependency? Are we building toward a world where AI genuinely thinks for itself? And as AI becomes the backbon...
509. Labour's Polanski Problem and the Student Loans Scandal (Question Time)
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Does the Gorton and Denton by-election result suggest Labour has been underestimating the threat of the Green Party? Is the UK's tuition fee system le...
508. Is Starmer Sleepwalking into War with Iran?
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is Keir Starmer sleepwalking into a war Britain never agreed to fight? What are Trump's real objectives in attacking Iran? How far will Iran's retalia...
507. The Ayatollah Is Killed - REACTION
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the confirmation of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader confirmed, where does this leave the regime? Who is being targeted in Iran's retaliation a...
506. Trump Attacks Iran: What Happens Now?
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Tehran launches retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases, how dangerous is this moment for the Middle East and the wider world? Are...
505. Are Trump and Putin Underestimating Ukraine?
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, what's the reality on the ground? Why is Trump still calling the shots on negoti...
504. Is Trump Losing His Tariffs War? (Question Time)
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Will Trump escalate his global acts of aggression in response to the dramatic Supreme Court ruling? How will the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor ...
Why Trump Wants Greenland
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why has Donald Trump considered invading Greenland? How does he think it will benefit him? What is the role of China in the Arctic? And what animals h...
503. Andrew’s Arrest: What Next?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why has the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor been arrested? How damaging is this unprecedented moment for the royal family? How effective was King...
502. How Nigel Farage Gets Away With It (Question Time)
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Reform UK's leader not being properly challenged by the press, and how does he get away with it? What does this reveal about the international ...
501. Is Starmer Too Soft on Trump? Inside the Munich Security Conference
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why did Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'love bomb' Europe at the Munich Security Conference, and how did it compare to JD Vance's infamous 'en...
The Battle for the Arctic
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most important political issues of our time - the battle for the Arctic. Why is Russia so dominant there? Why does Trump really want Greenl...
500. Japan, China, and the Fight for Taiwan (Question Time)
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are Japan and China closer to conflict over Taiwan, after the landslide victory for Japan's 'Iron Lady', Sanae Takayichi? Does Trump’s crumbling Ame...
499. Is It Game Over for Starmer?
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Starmer begins to lose his key aides and allies, is his departure from Number 10 now a matter of when, not if? Is the UK actually becoming ungovern...
498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
497. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Iran? (Question Time)
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is Trump deliberately wielding chaos as a negotiating tactic with Iran? When did it become acceptable for world leaders to openly interfere in each ot...
496. Mandelson’s Disgrace: How Epstein Poisoned Our Politics
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time)
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners* What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about ...
494. Carney’s Trump Fightback and the Starmer-Burnham Fallout
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
What If the AI Revolution Isn’t Real?
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is AI a revolution, or just another slow-moving general technology? Are we mistaking hype for inevitability? And, can a technology this unreliable rea...
493. Trump Insults NATO Troops
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
492. Should Europe Boycott the World Cup? (Question Time)
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Could Trump’s continued Greenland threats spark international boycotts of the World Cup? Does Robert Jenrick’s chaotic defection to Reform strengt...
491. Trump at Davos: Rory and Alastair React
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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? A...
490. Trump’s Greenland Ultimatum: What Next?
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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? Joi...
Will AI End Humanity?
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If there is even a 1% chance that AI could destroy us, should we keep building it? Are we creating machines that will one day outthink humanity? And i...
489. Musk's AI Deepfake Disgrace & JD Vance's Minnesota Lies (Question Time)
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Will the UK ban 'X' over explicit, nonconsensual deepfake images of women and children generated using its AI tool? What does JD Vance's outburst agai...
488. Is Iran on the Edge of Revolution?
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Could the Iran protests finally break the Supreme Leader’s brutal reign, or will the regime's deadly crackdown contain the unrest? If the US interve...
China Vs USA: Who Will Win the AI Race?
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Who really controls AI; governments, corporations, or no one at all? Is AI becoming a new kind of global arms race? And, can we keep humans in charge ...
487. Is Starmer Rethinking His Approach to Europe? (Question Time)
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What do Keir Starmer’s comments on 'closer alignment' with the EU single market actually mean? After the Bondi terror attack, how can a centrist gov...
486. Does Maduro’s Capture Put Greenland at Risk?
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is Venezuela the start of something bigger? If this isn’t regime change, what does Trump actually want? And, has Trump just handed Putin a win? J...
485. Trump Says America will Run Venezuela
03 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Trump has announced that Venezuela will now be run by Washington as US forces have captured Nicolás Maduro and taken him to stand trial in New York. ...
484. War in Europe, Trump's Destruction of Institutions, and Britain’s National Treasures (Question Time)
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Will Europe go to war with Russia in 2026? Should National Service be introduced next year? How will AI continue to develop? Should the G20 be moved? ...
483. The Future of British Politics, How The World Order Is Changing, and The Power of History
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does this year look like for the future of British politics? How is the global order going to be reshaped? And will the power of historical narra...
482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campai...
481. Polanski, Macron & al-Sharaa: The Best & Worst Politicians of 2025
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who deserves the title of UK politician of the year - and who gets worst? What was the most consequential moment of Trump's presidency so far? And can...
Will AI Take Our Jobs? (Ep 2)
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is AI a genuine productivity revolution, or just another tech bubble? Are any jobs safe from the advent of AI? And, can the UK harness the innovation,...
480. Trump, China, and the Scramble for Latin America (Question Time)
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s really driving Trump’s interventions in Venezuela and the rest of Latin America – oil, drugs, or democracy? Is Labour failing on its prom...
479. Russian Influence in Britain: How Exposed Are We?
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are Britain’s top military and intelligence chiefs sounding the alarm about Putin’s influence and future plans? How deeply has Russia already ...
How Will AI Change The World? (Ep 1)
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How will AI reshape the way we live, earn, and design our lifestyles over the next decade? With investment in AI increasing a billion fold the last 12...
478. Farage’s Crypto Megadonor and the Graduate Jobs Disaster (Question Time)
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why has a crypto billionaire living in Thailand donated £9 million to Nigel Farage's party, Reform UK? With a graduate jobs crisis in full swing and ...
477. How Trump’s Security Strategy Destroys The Old World Order
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy officially upended 80 years of American foreign policy? Why does it warn of Europe's "civilisational erasu...
476. Polanski’s Problem, Westminster’s Russia Blind Spot, and Justice Without Juries? (Question Time)
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are the Greens selling an economic vision they can’t explain? Should Britain ditch juries in some trials? And, how far has Russian influence seeped ...
475. The Budget Backlash – and Trump’s Plan to Profit from Peace in Ukraine
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is the media too negative about Reeves and Starmer, or are they simply out of ideas? What has the relentless Budget turmoil and fallout done to alread...
Introducing: The Rest Is Science
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forget what you think you know about reality. The Rest Is Science is a mind-bending new show from Goalhanger that tears down familiar ideas… time, r...
474. Does Reeves' Budget Really Change Anything? What It Means For You
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Was this 'the most leaked Budget' of all time? Has Rachel Reeves managed to balance the demands of the public, the markets, industry, and her party? C...
473. Europe vs. Trump: Competing Visions for a Ukraine Peace Deal (Question Time)
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens to global leadership when the US ghosts the G20 and COP, and can middle powers really keep the world moving? Is Britain ignoring a major ...
472. Is Trump’s Peace 'Plan’ Forced Surrender for Ukraine?
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who is really behind the White House 'peace plan' for Ukraine: Trump or Putin? Why isn't Europe taking the threat from Russia more seriously, and doin...
471. Rory Stewart: How the Government Tried to Silence Me on Lockdowns
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why did Boris Johnson and the British government not only fail to listen, but actively try to suppress early warnings about the pandemic? How did grou...
470. China vs Japan, the BBC at Breaking Point, and The Future of Satire (Question Time)
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Japan provoking China, or responding to a real threat over Taiwan? What does the BBC’s credibility crisis reveal about Britain’s fight over tru...
469. Is Starmer Out of Moves? Asylum Gamble, Tax Chaos, and Open Infighting
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a week of turmoil, can Labour recover their support or are they already doomed to lose the next election? Are Shabana Mahmood's immigration refo...
468. Starmer in Crisis: Sabotage From Within? (Question Time)
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has Keir Starmer lost control of his own team? Is Gen Z actually the most informed generation yet, or are they cripplingly cynical? And, why is Afric...
467. The Mamdani Method Explained: Could It Shock Britain?
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How did a thirty four-year old democratic socialist win over New York, and can he actually follow through on his promise to transform the city? What d...
466. Crisis Engulfs the BBC: Is this a Coordinated Attack?
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why have the BBC’s Director General and Head of News both suddenly resigned? Is this an internal 'coup' at the BBC or a 'concerted' attack by its us...
Murdoch's Succession Battle and the Fight for Fox News
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the key differences between Murdoch's children, particularly Lachlan and James? How do the internal family conflicts of the Murdochs mirror t...
465. Andrew’s Disgrace, Newsnight, and a Centrist Win in the Netherlands (Question Time)
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How much transparency should we demand from the monarchy? Do the latest Dutch results show that populism is fracturing, or simply mutating? And, did X...
464. Labour’s Tax Timebomb, Climate Backsliding, and Sudan’s Forgotten War
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is this the Budget that breaks Labour, or can Reeves walk the tightrope? Why does the general public increasingly think we’re overreacting to climat...
The Monster He Made: Murdoch, Trump, and the Price of Power (Part 4)
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What was the nature of the relationship between Fox News and Donald Trump? What, or who, caused Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Wendi Deng to end? What w...
463. Question Time: How Truth Became Optional In Trump’s America
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How serious are Trump’s hints about serving a third term? Is the US sleepwalking into a civil war? And does the Labour Party really understand rura...
462. Starmer Hits Rock Bottom: Will He Break His Manifesto to Survive?
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does Labour’s unprecedented collapse in Wales really mean? If Putin takes Ukraine, which European neighbour is next? What can Starmer learn fro...
The Phone-Hacking Scandal: How Murdoch's UK Empire Fell (Part 3)
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What was the phone-hacking scandal and how did it escalate into a major crisis? How was Alastair himself implicated? What did Rupert Murdoch's marriag...
461. Question Time: The Tel Aviv Fan Ban & Japan’s New Thatcher
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode has been edited to remove a discussion on the China spy case. The Rest Is Politics wishes to make clear that Mr Christopher Cash and Mr C...
460. Inside Trump’s Gaza-Ukraine Playbook: Who Profits from Peace?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Trump selling peace to the highest bidder? Is the Farage surge in Wales a warning shot for Westminster? Why is the UK going backwards again on ment...
A Deal With the Devil? Murdoch and New Labour (Part 2)
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What was the nature of Rupert Murdoch's relationship with Margaret Thatcher? What led to News Corp's near-collapse in the late 1980s, and how did the ...
459. Question Time: Reform's Potential Upside, Why Bad News Sells & Reasons To Stay Hopeful
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who’s offering hope in politics today? Where are the real environmental success stories? And what one law would Rory and Alastair make a reality? ...
458. Can Trump's Peace Deal Actually Work?
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has Trump really brought a “new dawn” to the Middle East? How can one of the most broken places on earth begin to be rebuilt? And is Argentina mou...
The Rise of Rupert Murdoch: Making of a Mogul (Part 1)
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Rupert Murdoch considered such an influential figure? What was his childhood and family like growing up in Australia? How did he establish his ...
457. Is Trump Planning Regime Change?
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Trump attacking Venezuelan ships? Are the Greens turning protest into real political power? And, will France create a sixth Republic? The ...
456. Antisemitism, How the Tories Lost Britain, and Gaza
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is antisemitism on the rise in the UK? Can Trump’s Gaza plan ever provide a just and lasting peace? Why does Rory think the Conservative Party i...
455. Question Time: Is Europe Already At War With Russia?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Europe already at war with Russia — without admitting it? Are the Netherlands still a serious player in Europe? And, should national parks be res...
454. Starmer's Farage Fightback and Trump's Unworkable Gaza Plan
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it too late for Starmer to turn things around? Is Labour talking too much about immigration, and not enough about the cost of living? How can Trump...
453. Trump’s Far Right Allies in Germany: Is History Repeating Itself?
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just how close is the far right to taking power in Europe and the UK? Why is Germany the perfect starting point for far-right agitators? Is Europe’s...
452. Question Time: America’s New Martyr and Westminster’s Hidden Spies
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Charlie Kirk becoming America’s new martyr for the far right? How deep does Chinese spying go in Western politics? And, is Moldova the next tar...
451. Is Trump Destroying the UN?
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it time to move the United Nations headquarters out of New York? Will recognising Palestine as a state make any difference to the plight of Gaza? W...
450. Question Time: How Gen Z Took Down the Government
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
**Content Notice: this episode contains discussion of murder-suicide, rape and sexual violence** How did a corruption scandal in Nepal trigger a yo...
449. Starmer Loses Control: Will Andy Burnham Challenge the PM?
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Trump arrives in the UK after the Mandelson-Epstein debacle, are Starmer’s days numbered as PM? If he can’t turn things around, who could repla...
448. Question Time: Mandelson’s Epstein Disgrace, Kirk’s Assassination, and Trump’s Illegal Boat Strike
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics...
447. Is Starmer Sleepwalking Britain into Farage’s Hands?
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has Starmer’s reshuffle shifted Labour to the right, and frozen out the left? Will Farage ultimately lose control of Reform UK? Why has the French g...
446. Israel Bombs Qatar: Where Does Impunity End?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Netanyahu’s illegal bombing of Doha yet another death knell for international law? Why is the West’s response so lacklustre? Is Trump secretly ...
445. Starmer's Deputy PM Quits: The Return of Chaos in British Politics?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just how damaging is Angela Rayner’s dramatic exit for the UK government? Has Starmer gone too early with his cabinet reshuffle? What does this mean...
444. Question Time: Can Labour Reinvent Itself?
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Gaza the deadliest place for journalists? Is Farage copying Trump by silencing the press?And, Is Britain’s Online Safety Act censorship or pr...
443. China’s Plot to Topple Trump: How to Bring Down a Superpower
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is China forging a new world order beyond Trump’s isolationist America? Is Trump’s sudden turn against India uniting Xi, Putin, and Modi – f...
442. Question Time: Trump's Plot To Cancel The Midterms
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Trump edging the U.S. toward military rule? Can Gaza survive famine amid total collapse? Will Ukraine resist Putin if Western backing falters? J...
441. The Reality of Farage’s Mass Deportation Fantasy
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Farage imitating Trump with his desire to deport 600,000 migrants from the UK? How is the media whipping up a toxic debate on immigration? Why is L...
440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist Party
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much?...
439. The Pro-Putin President: Are Zelensky and Europe sleepwalking into disaster?
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is appeasing Trump and Putin a recipe for disaster in Europe , or simply a pragmatic approach? Why was JD Vance so silent in Zelensky's second White H...
438. Inside the Trump-Putin Summit: What Really Happened in Alaska?
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does 'no deal' mean for Ukraine and Europe? What was agreed behind closed doors? How will Zelensky respond? Join Rory and Alastair as they unp...
437. Question Time: Farage vs Corbyn: The UK's Next Prime Minister?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Starmer too afraid to take on Farage? What does Germany’s turn away from Israel signal? And, how much should kids know about geopolitics? Jo...
436. Is Trump Gifting Ukraine to Putin?
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have Zelensky and Europe lost all leverage over Trump and Putin? What’s behind Vance’s ‘odd relationship’ with UK foreign secretary David Lamm...
The Gun Lobby Responsible for Trump: Journey Through Time
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alastair is joined by historian and co-host of Goalhanger’s Journey Through Time, Sarah Churchwell, to discuss their new series on the History of Th...
435. Question Time: The Migrant Return Plan, Colombia’s Drug Cartels, and Will Rory Join Corbyn’s New Party?
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can Starmer’s deal with Macron really fix the Channel crisis? Is Colombia’s fragile peace falling apart amid a booming drug trade? And, could AI r...
434. Why the West is Finally Recognising Palestine
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are the UK, France and Canada finally recognising a Palestinian state? Why is Trump punishing Brazil, India, and Switzerland with tariffs? Should ...
433. Question Time: Epstein’s Inner Circle, Ukraine’s Zelensky Backlash, and Destroying the Addiction Economy
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can Zelensky survive a war abroad while fighting enemies at home? What does Epstein’s circle reveal about power, secrets and how justice really work...
432. Trump, Starmer, and Gaza: Is The Tide Turning Against Israel?
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will the West turn the tide on Gaza or is it too little, too late? What are the pictures Netanyahu doesn't want Trump to see? Are Israel's aid drops p...
431. Question Time: Netanyahu’s Survival, Deadly Clashes in Syria, and Japan’s "Deep State"
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Netanyahu escalating conflict to distract from scandal? How is toxic masculinity taking hold among young men? Is Japan’s youth driving a new wave...
430. Murdoch, Epstein, and AI Billionaires: Is Trump Losing Control?
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What did Alastair make of Jeffrey Epstein when he met him? Just how dangerous is AI in an unregulated world of tech bro billionaires? Why do Rory and ...
The Real JD Vance: How Trump Ditched Ideology (Part 5)
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does Trump already see himself as America’s king? Have he and Vance swapped ideology for a medieval approach to politics? Will reality finally catch...
429. Question Time: Gaza, Genocide, and Global Hypocrisy
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has the West lost its moral voice on Gaza? Can Britain and France rebuild trust on migration after Brexit? And, where are today’s Bob Geldofs — an...
428. Rory vs. Alastair: Are we spending too much on defence?
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Starmer falling into Trump's defence spending trap? What's the bigger threat to the European democracies: Putin or populism? Why has a Labour-affil...