214. What Can The UK Learn From How South Africa Ended Apartheid? (Paul van Zyl)
How can politicians rebuild trust after decades of division? How do you get political enemies to sit down at the same table? What are some of Nelson Mandela's best - and funniest - moments? Alastair ... Continue
writer, podcaster,
communicator, strategist
Latest
586. Trump’s Midterms Disaster: What Happens Next?
Why did Trump concede defeat so quickly and pledge to work with Democrats, and what does this mean for the final two years of his presidency, including his influence on the world stage? Was this a cos... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s diary: My biblical battles with Zia Yusuf and Jacob Rees-Mogg
The faithful have long since abandoned the promised land of Brexit – but the false prophets won’t admit it... Continue
585. Rory Goes to a Trump Rally and Will the Youth Protests Spread to Britain?
What has Rory uncovered on the road through JD Vance country, and how did he feel attending a Trump MAGA rally? What is driving the wave of youth protests sweeping across Europe, and could we see simi... Continue
213. China and the USA: The Most Important Relationship In The World? (Kevin Rudd)
What do Xi Jinping and Donald Trump actually want? How much does Beijing back Putin, and could it ever pressure him over Ukraine? How likely is a conflict over Taiwan, and when could it be? Rory and ... Continue
David Blunkett on Blindness, Adversity and Why Politicians Give Up Too Easily
To hear the full episode, and the whole seires, sign up at therestispolitics.com This week, Alastair sits down with someone who – in his opinion – is the most persevilient person in politics, Sir... Continue
584. Why Is Trump Losing Voters and Will Texas Turn Blue?
Why are these US midterms so important, and what has Rory been seeing on the ground in Ohio? Could the Democrats really flip Texas, and is Trump alienating the Hispanic voters that were crucial to his... Continue
583. Is Burnham’s Budget Too Safe and How Brazil Defied Trump
With the UK’s new Chancellor, John Healey, announcing his first budget and Kemi Badenoch asking him, “is that it?”, how will the public judge his plans? With Lula making an historic return to Br... ContinueThe Rest Is Politics
4 Nov 2026
586. Trump’s Midterms Disaster: What Happens Next?Why did Trump concede defeat so quickly and pledge to work with Democrats, and what does this mean for the final two years of his presidency, including his influence on the world stage? Was this a cost of living election defeat for Trump more than an outpouring of love for the Democrats, and will MAGA’s ‘America First’ worldview persist anyway? After the most highly funded election in American history, could there finally be bipartisan support for tackling the influence of extreme wealth and corruption in US politics?
Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.
Leading
9 Nov 2026
214. What Can The UK Learn From How South Africa Ended Apartheid? (Paul van Zyl)How can politicians rebuild trust after decades of division? How do you get political enemies to sit down at the same table? What are some of Nelson Mandela's best - and funniest - moments?
Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world’s biggest names – from both inside and outside of politics – about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.
Books
Persevilience: The Word the World Needs Now
Persevilience: the ability to turn any setback into an opportunity to grow. Alastair Campbell’s new book blends the sharp political analysis for which he is known with candid personal reflections on grief, mental health, friendship, family and love.
Little Experts: Why Politics Matters
Packed with fun, facts and challenges – perfect for readers aged 6 to 9.
Alastair Campbell Talks Politics
The empowering intro to politics that every young person needs right now from writer, podcaster and strategist Alastair Campbell.
The bestselling new book from Alastair Campbell, on why politics has gone so wrong, and how you can help fix it. Part call to arms, part practical handbook, But What Can I Do? will prove required reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.
Alastair Campbell knows all about winning. As Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist he helped guide the Labour Part…
Living Better is Alastair Campbell’s honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an…
In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness
A Game More Serious Than Life or Death
Diaries Volume 8: Rise and Fall of the Olympic Spirit, 2010 – 2015
It’s 2010 and Britain stands at a crossroads. After thirteen years in power, Labour find themselves out in the cold as David Cameron takes office – with a little help from the Liberal Democrats.
Diaries Volume 7: From Crash to Defeat, 2007 – 2010
Caught in the no man’s land between being a key figure in Downing Street and the relative anonymity of the world outside politics, Alastair Campbell finds himself being torn in several directions.
Diaries Volume 6: From Blair to Brown, 2005 – 2007
After helping Tony Blair to secure a historic third term in office, Alastair Campbell might have hoped to make good his long-planned escape from Downing Street. Blair, and Gordon Brown, had other ideas.
Diaries Volume 5: Outside, Inside, 2003 – 2005
This eagerly anticipated volume picks up where its predecessor left off, with Campbell standing down as Tony Blair’s director of communications in 2003.
Diaries Volume 4: The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq
The Burden of Power is the fourth volume of Alastair Campbell’s diaries, and perhaps the most eagerly awaited given the ground it covers.
Diaries Volume 3: Power & Responsibility
It begins amid conflict in Kosovo, and ends on September 11, 2001, a day which immediately wrote itself into the history books, changing the course of both the Bush presidency and the Blair premiership.
Diaries Volume 2: Power and the People 1997 – 1999
Power and the People is the second of four volumes, and covers the first two years of New Labour government, beginning with their landslide victory at the polls in 1997.
Diaries Volume 1: Prelude to Power
Volume 1 details the extraordinary tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they resolved the question as to which one should stand to become Labour leader.
The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from….
The Irish Diaries (1994 – 2003)
This newly edited one-volume edition focuses on one of the Blair government’s biggest successes, the Northern Ireland peace process.
Maya Lowe is one of the world’s most beautiful film stars.
Emily is a traumatised burns victim, Arta a Kosovan refugee recovering from a rape. David Temple is a longterm depressive, while the Rt Hon Ralph Hall MP lives in terror of his drink problem being exposed.
She likes a drink. Everyone has a problem.