The Rest Is Politics
Episodes
347. Question Time: Biden’s Pardon is Unforgivable
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Starmer right to dismiss the two million people calling for a general election? What are Georgia’s chances of EU integration? And, if they were h...
346. The Battle for Syria
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who are the Syrian rebels who have attacked Aleppo? Will Keir Starmer's reset be enough to convince the public? Why is the French government on the br...
345. TRIP US: The Golden Age of Corruption
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the United States entering a new age of corruption? Why are Democrats staying silent? What will be different about a second Trump term? This week,...
344. Question Time: Should MPs vote with their conscience or constituents?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is there anything wrong with being an isolationist government? How far has ‘woke’ been weaponised by the far-right? Will Rory ever go on reality T...
343. What Happens Next: Israel vs. the International Criminal Court
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How has the world responded to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for top Israeli officials? What does Trump have planned for the war i...
342. Question Time: Farmer vs Starmer, courting China, and the purpose of COP
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How would Alastair tweak the so-called “tractor-tax” to appease British farmers? Is Keir Starmer spending too much time abroad? And will internati...
341. Biden vs. Trump: A fight for the future of Ukraine
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Biden’s move on missiles too little too late for Ukraine? Who will be in Donald Trump’s White House team? Why are business leaders growing tire...
340. Question Time: Assisted Dying, Texting Macron, and the Politics of Scandal
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are Alastair and Rory starry-eyed about Australian politics? What have Alastair and Macron been texting about? And, what does the world look like wit...
339. Trump, the Middle East, and Ukraine
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How will the president elect deal with the Israel-Gaza conflict? Does the US election result spell doom for Zelensky? What’s going on in Germany? J...
338. Trump beyond America: what’s next?
09 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who will Trump appoint to his cabinet? Did wishful thinking cloud the election? And, what do the next four years look like for Taiwan, Ukraine and the...
337. Trump Returns: What Now?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did Trump win it or did the Democrats blow it? What are the implications of a second Trump presidency for America and the rest of the world? Has right...
336. 8am: TRUMP WINS
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight...
335. 6am: Trump On The Brink
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight...
334. 11pm: US Election Countdown Begins
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight...
333. Kemi Badenoch, Tory Party Leader
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What should we expect from the new leader of the Conservative Party? Does Badenoch spell trouble for Labour? How will she reflect on her role as the f...
332. Rachel Reeves' Budget: How does it affect you?
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Labour's first budget a success or failure for the new government? How does it compare to previous budgets? Did Rachel Reeves alter her proposals f...
331. Question Time: Murdoch or Musk — who has more power?
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why does the UK ignore Irish politics? Should Labour implement Leveson 2, and what should your 7 year-old ask a Tory MP, according to Alastair? Join ...
330. The US Election: One week to go
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With one week to go until the US election, what media outlets can you trust? Is Australia immune to the populist wave that seems to be sweeping Europe...
329. Question Time: Technology, privacy, and the battle for the NHS
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will disability benefits ever be means tested? Could cross party collaboration fix the national health crisis? And how are Alastair and Rory staying h...
328. Could Russia interfere in the US election?
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will the killing of the Hamas leader change the course of the war in Gaza? What is Labour’s plan for the NHS? Could Elon Musk be found guilty of buy...
327. Question Time: What does peace look like in the Middle East?
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the point of the House of Lords today? Does Elon Musk have presidential ambitions? How bad do Downing Street comms have to get before Alastair...
326. Labour's first 100 days, the Tory leadership race, and Japan
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How have the first 100 days of the new Labour government gone? Who will be the next leader of the Tory party? What is happening in Japanese politics r...
325. Question Time: Are the Tories dead or sleeping?
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How many civilian casualties is too many: what defines a proportionate war? What makes a good civil servant according to Alastair and Rory. And, why s...
324. Israel at War: One Year On
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How has the political landscape of the Middle East changed in the year since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel? Why has Keir Starmer reshuffl...
323. Question Time: How it feels to become “the story”
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are so many young men supporting the AFD in Germany? Would Trump be welcome on TRIP? And who, out of the pair, has the best Dame Maggie Smith stor...
322. Israel vs Hezbollah: Iran’s next move
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does the killing of Hezbollah’s leader mean for the Middle East? Who will be Labour’s next cabinet secretary? How did the far right win in Au...
321. Question Time: Why do politicians leak to the press?
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Was the recent election in Brandenburg really a “huge success” for the far-right AfD? Why are MPs allowed to be on their phones in the House of Co...
320. Labour’s struggle to define itself, Hezbollah vs. Israel, and understanding Long Covid
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does Starmer’s government lack a strategic vision? Are we on the brink of a wider war in the Middle East? Why has society turned a blind eye to thos...
319. TRIP US: The Only State Trump Needs to Win
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
*To hear the full episode, search The Rest is Politics US wherever you get your podcasts.* How far do voters trust Donald Trump? Should the US have m...
318. Question Time: Does America really care about the ‘special relationship’?
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why has Turkey decided to join BRICS? Is New York Mayor, Eric Adams, in trouble? And what happens when the mics are turned off? Join Rory and Alastai...
317. How to save the NHS
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How are Labour planning to reform the NHS? Are the West being too slow to help Ukraine? Should social media be banned for children? Join Rory and Alas...
316. Why Kamala Harris Still Has a Problem
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does Kamala Harris need to do next? How would Republicans react to a Trump loss? Would Harris ever debate Trump on Fox News? Join Katty Kay and ...
315. Question Time: Should we fine people for missing doctor's appointments?
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is conflict brewing on the Horn of Africa? Should we fine people for missing hospital appointments? And, why do escalators pose an existential threat ...
314. Trump stumbles - but did Harris see him off?
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will Tuesday’s US presidential debate be remembered as a turning point in the campaign? Why was Donald Trump so off-message? Did Kamala Harris miss ...
313. Why Starmer needs to be unpopular
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can Labour make the unpopular popular? Will any change come from the Grenfell inquiry? How worrying is China’s influence in Africa? Join Rory and Al...
312. Is America Ready for Gun Reform?
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How has Donald Trump tied him self in knots over abortion? Why is there a growing gender divide in politics? Has Kamala Harris reached the end of her ...
311. Question Time: Should Labour ban smoking?
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Brazil right to suspend X? Why have the press been calling our Deputy PM ‘Angela Raver’? And what is the history of No. 10’s Larry the Cat? ...
310. The rise of Germany’s far-right
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who will be the next French Prime Minister? How serious is the threat of Germany’s far right? Should school inspections scrap single-word reviews? J...
309. Trump's Secret Weapon
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who has returned as Donald Trump's secret weapon? What's happening in Georgia? Is Kamala Harris making a mistake over the upcoming presidential debate...
308. Question Time: Can you be friends with someone you totally disagree with politically?
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why have so many kids been excluded from school since the pandemic? How should the world respond to the ‘gender apartheid’ in Afghanistan? And how...
307. Starmer put to the test, Modi's visit to Ukraine, and tragedy unfolds in Sudan
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does Starmer have a plan to fix the UK? Why did Modi visit Ukraine? What is really happening in Sudan and when will it receive more coverage in the in...
306. Did Kamala Harris' speech scare Trump?
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Was Kamala Harris' closing speech at the Democratic National Convention powerful enough to shake the Republicans? Who were the most successful speaker...
305. The Obamas takedown Donald Trump
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Has Michelle Obama given up on her own plea that "when they go low we go high"? How will male voters respond to the idea of the first US First Gentlem...
304. Question Time: Could Trump try and subvert the US election results?
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is there civil unrest in Slovakia and Bulgaria? Are they legitimate tools at Trump’s disposal to subvert an election result? Do we have the tech...
303. The speech Joe Biden never wanted to give (Live from the Democratic National Convention)
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How have the Democratic Party united behind Kamala Harris so quickly? What are some of the core principles of Project 2025? Was Joe Biden's farewell s...
302. It’s Trump’s Race to Lose
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Trump setting the stage to reject another loss in November? Why did Kamala Harris sideline Josh Shapiro as her VP pick? What does it mean to be a R...
301. Question Time: Iran’s retaliation, Labour "press bias" and an Olympic hangover
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the press softer on Labour? How left-wing would a Harris/Walz government be? Was MI5 aware of crimes committed by a British agent? And how should F...
300. Why Ukraine invaded Russia, the Musk-Trump love-in, and Rory’s visit to Afghanistan
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is Elon Musk lashing out against Scotland’s First Minister? What are the tactics behind Ukraine’s advance on Russia? How worried should we be ...
299. The Secret Behind Trump's Silence
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Has Kamala Harris chosen the right person as her running mate? Why has Donald Trump stayed quiet in response? How much do celebrity endorsements impac...
298. Question Time: Venezuela’s fate, Hezbollah’s response, and how prisoner swaps really work
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What impact have US sanctions had on Venezuela? Is Tom Tugendhat a Tory Keir Starmer? How should Hezbollah respond to attacks without risking domestic...
297. Far-right chaos, Harris’ running mate, and Bangladesh’s power vacuum
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is fuelling the far-right riots spreading across England? Who is Kamala Harris’ new running mate? Why has Bangladesh’s prime minister fled th...
296. Could Donald Trump drop out?
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What will the impact be of Trump's nightmare week? Will he make it to polling day? Why do evangelicals stick by him no matter what? Join Katty Kay an...
295. Question Time: Israel vs. Hezbollah, legalising cannabis, and Kamala Harris' Middle East strategy
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will the attack on the Golan Heights push Israel and Hezbollah into war? How does Harris’ approach to the Middle East differ from Trump's? How do Ro...
294. Labour’s defining moment and the next Tory leader
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Labour planning austerity 2.0? Who is in the running to be the next Conservative leader? Should politics play a role at the Olympics? Join Rory a...
293. Trump’s Next Move
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How will Donald Trump frame Kamala Harris as ‘dangerously liberal’? What has changed since the last time a woman ran for president? How will Ameri...
292. Question Time: China’s army in Europe, Just Stop Oil behind bars, and Andrew Tate
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where do you stand on Just Stop Oil protestors being sentenced? What could come of China’s military drills in Belarus? What drives young men towards...
291. The Rise of Kamala Harris
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much do you really know about Kamala Harris? Why isn't Venezuela the Saudi Arabia of Latin America? Should we view Rwanda differently to other aut...
290. JOE BIDEN DROPS OUT
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens next as Joe Biden withdraws from the 2024 US presidential race? Should the Democrats have an open convention? Would Kamala Harris be able...
289. TRIP US: The Week Trump Won?
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does Trump’s new running mate mean for the direction of the Republican Party? Have the Democrats given up on a 2024 win? Is there anything now ...
288. Is Labour's King's Speech bold enough?
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What legislation did Keir Starmer's government put forward in the state opening of Parliament? Do the bills go far enough? Where does Labour go from h...
287. Trump’s VP, Labour vs. China, and the King’s Speech
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How has a man who once called Trump ‘America’s Hilter’ now become his running mate? What does a Labour government mean for UK-China relations? W...
286. Trump Assassination Attempt: The Aftermath
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will the Trump rally shooting change the course of the US election? Are we entering an era of further political violence and polarisation? What goes o...
285. TRIP US: DONALD TRUMP SHOT
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Has Donald Trump’s attempted assassination won him the race? Are we descending into an era of new political violence? What can we expect from the Re...
284. TRIP US: Biden’s Last Stand
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who are the Democrats speaking out against Joe Biden? What happens to NATO if Donald Trump gets elected? Could next week be the president’s crunch p...
283. Did Reform UK create a fake general election candidate?
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does the Prime Minister hold constituency surgeries? Did Ed Davey's campaign tactics work? How has the South African election results affected the cou...
282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What has Keir Starmer’s new cabinet promised so far? What’s next for France after voters mobilised to stop Marine Le Pen’s far-right party from ...
281. How one night transformed British politics
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens now? How radical will Starmer’s Labour be in government? Would a change of the voting system only further strengthen the far right? In...
280. Starmer’s Labour Landslide - 3:30am update
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What should we make of Labour’s landslide election win? How big a force can Reform UK become in UK politics? Where next for the Tory Party? Join Ro...
279. The Day Britain Decides
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do politicians actually do on polling day? How does it feel to hear you’re the next prime minister? Should we care that The Sun has backed Labo...
278. Question Time: How reliable are the polls?
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens at Number 10 when there is a change of government? Are polls a help or hinderance to the parties pre-election day? What are the benefits ...
277. What stands in the way of a Labour landslide?
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Which party has had the most effective campaign? Is there any way out for Macron in his fight against the far right and far left? Why are the Democrat...
276. Why Joe Biden must step down
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Last night was a game changer. And the change that now has to come is to produce another game changer, which is a new Democratic candidate." In an e...
275. TRIP US: Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and ...
274. Sunak vs Starmer: The Final Showdown
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who won the final leadership debate? Did Rishi Sunak's more aggressive tactics pay dividends? What will Team Starmer make of his performance in Nottin...
273. Question Time: Julian Assange, firing your friends, and why Labour should raise taxes
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
***TRIP post debate livestream - 9.30pm - Wednesday June 26th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya1K0WSvOAk*** How will history remember Julian Assang...
272. Sunak’s betting scandal, Farage in trouble, and will Rory vote Green?
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How damaging is the election betting scandal for the Tories? Do Reform UK have a women problem? Is Emmanuel Macron facing electoral oblivion? Join Ro...
271. TRIP US: Biden really losing Hispanic and Black voters?
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are Black and Hispanic voters increasingly warming to Donald Trump? How will Trump and Biden prepare for their first debate? What is Biden’s pla...
270. Will Israel go to war with Hezbollah?
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How important is Putin’s visit to North Korea? What will the consequences be of a war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon? How worrying is Germa...
269. Question Time: Orban in person, Biden's fragility, and the subtle art of focus groups
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just how beneficial are focus groups to political parties? Will Biden's age cost him the US election? And why does Alastair hate vox pops so much? Jo...
268. The Tories' 'taxtopia' attack, Macron's gamble, and the politics of football
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How worried should Labour be about voter apathy? What is 'taxtopia'? Why is Liz Truss being brought up in the French election? Join Rory Stewart and ...
267. TRIP US: If Trump wins, what actually happens to America?
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From killing wild horses to banning the abortion pill, join Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay as they take a deep dive into Project 2025 - the very lon...
266. Labour vs Conservatives: What do their manifestos reveal?
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do the Labour and Conservative party manifestos compare? What are the key policies that will swing votes? What are the Greens and Liberal Democrat...
265. Starmer vs Sunak - Round 2: Who won ‘The Battle For Number 10’?
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rory and Alastair give their immediate reaction to the Sky News leaders event. Who won, and, more importantly, will it have changed anyone’s vote? P...
264. Rishi Sunak’s defining moment
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could Farage engineer a reverse takeover of the Tory Party? Why has Emmanuel Macron called a snap election? Are Labour losing votes to the Greens? Jo...
263. TRIP US: Donald Trump, Silicon Valley and Wall Street: Big Money's Deal with the Devil
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are Wall Street and Silicon Valley weighing in behind Donald Trump? Is it true that Joe Biden and Bill Ackman almost got into a fist fight? What's...
262. Modi loses his majority, Sunak takes on the Treasury, and Welsh Labour in crisis
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where next for India after Modi loses his majority? How should Starmer have dealt with Sunak’s Labour tax claim? Is Rory going to vote Lib Dem on Ju...
261. Sunak vs Starmer: Who won?
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who emerged victorious from the first leadership debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer? Was ITV's format too restrictive? Where does the electio...
260. The return of Nigel Farage: does it matter?
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do Nigel Farage's plans to run as an MP in Clacton mean for Rishi Sunak? Should Ed Davey tone down his campaign stunts? What comes next for South...
259. Can Trump still run for president?
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the political damage after Trump’s guilty verdict? How will Trump’s base react to his conviction? What does all of this mean for the futur...
258. DONALD TRUMP FOUND GUILTY
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does Donald Trump's guilty verdict mean for the 2024 election? Do the nine Justices of the Supreme Court have too much power? What do Democrats r...
257. Diane Abbott, Nigel Farage, and how to plan a campaign
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why can't Keir Starmer make a decision about Diane Abbott? How do parties prepare for an election with no warning? Why is Nigel Farage getting so muc...
256. Question Time: Will the podcast dynamic change after the election?
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it time for a new curriculum? Do the UK's creative industries receive enough funding in relation to the soft power they exude? Who is 'El Loco' in ...
255. Is Labour's lead narrowing?
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the gap between public opinion of Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak narrowing already? Have the Conservatives stolen Rory's idea for a compulsory nation...
254. Question Time: Is Biden alienating young voters?
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the international significance of Mexico's presidential election? Is Biden risking the support of young voters over his stance on Israel? And ...
253. TRIP US: Donald Trump vs. Keir Starmer: The end of the special relationship?
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Which states will decide the US election? Why does Wall Street love Donald Trump? Could we see the end of the UK's special relationship with America? ...
252. SUNAK CALLS GENERAL ELECTION
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why has the PM called a general election for 4th July? Is Keir Starmer ready? Will the polls narrow or are we heading towards a landslide? Join Rory...
251. The Infected Blood Scandal
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could the bill for the infected blood scandal fall on Labour? What makes politics so bad for mental health? Could Benjamin Netanyahu be arrested for w...
250. TRIP US: Why Trump won't go to jail
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What was it like to visit Michael Cohen behind bars? Why is it almost impossible for Trump to go to jail? How many good working hours does Joe Biden h...
249. Question Time: Political honeymoons - how quickly could the public turn on Keir Starmer?
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are we sleepwalking into a crisis that could totally overwhelm our prisons? Why is the South West often forgotten in politics? Why do political honeym...
248. Battle lines are drawn: defections, defence, and David Gauke
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is Rishi Sunak’s plan to win back voters? Why has Putin removed his ally as Russia’s defence minister? Has Labour’s embrace of a defecting ...