The Rest Is Politics

542. Starmer Loses His Defence Secretary: What Next?

What does John Healey's shock resignation mean for Keir Starmer, whose position is already on the line ahead of Andy Burnham's crunch by-election in Makerfield? Who might replace Healey in one of the most important jobs in government, at one of the most dangerous moments in the UK's history? With NATO allies demanding higher spending on defence and Trump's America growing ever more unpredictable, can Britain afford a government at war with itself over military spending? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this emergency episode. __________ Enjoy Rory and Alastair’s interview with Odd Arne Westad by searching ‘Leading’ on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE [https://mailchi.mp/fa3e66f5e4c7/trip-public-newsletter], featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta] 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 fuseenergy.com/politics [https://fuseenergy.com/politics] and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics [https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=restispolitics&pers=true&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off840&utm_source=aff92700] It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics [https://www.instagram.com/restispolitics/] Twitter: @restispolitics [https://twitter.com/RestIsPolitics] Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com [therestispolitics@goalhanger.com] __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Adam Thornton, Harry Swan Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

541. Trump’s World Cup Mess and Kushner’s Albania Deal

As the Trump administration blocks a referee from entering the US, is this the most political world cup of all time, and just how messy will it get? Can the Democrats flip the Senate, and would it actually stop Trump? Is Jared Kushner turning the Balkans into his personal property portfolio? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this week's edition of Question Time. __________ Enjoy Rory and Alastair’s interview with Odd Arne Westad by searching ‘Leading’ on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE [https://mailchi.mp/fa3e66f5e4c7/trip-public-newsletter], featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta] 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 fuseenergy.com/politics [https://fuseenergy.com/politics] and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics [https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=restispolitics&pers=true&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off840&utm_source=aff92700] It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics [https://www.instagram.com/restispolitics/] Twitter: @restispolitics [https://twitter.com/RestIsPolitics] Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com [therestispolitics@goalhanger.com] __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Adam Thorton, James Clayden 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

540. The Untold Iran Crisis, Henry Nowak, and Farage’s Politics of Rage

As Trump’s Iran disaster continues, are we facing a full-blown energy and economic crisis in the UK and beyond? Why are politicians refusing to be honest about the real cost of the Iran crisis? What does the far-right’s response to the Henry Nowak tragedy – from JD Vance to Rupert Lowe – tell us about post-truth populism? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Enjoy Rory and Alastair’s interview with Odd Arne Westad by searching ‘Leading’ on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE [https://mailchi.mp/fa3e66f5e4c7/trip-public-newsletter], featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta] 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. Father’s Day discounted gift memberships available here [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/gifts]. Treat your dad to early access to Question Time, members-only miniseries, and much more. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at fuseenergy.com/politics [https://fuseenergy.com/politics] and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics [https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=restispolitics&pers=true&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off840&utm_source=aff92700] It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ Sponsored by Lloyds. Learn how to avoid scams and protect yourself. See how Darkhorse Anti-Fraud technology helps keep you safe from fraud. Search Lloyds protect yourself from fraud. __________ Instagram: @restispolitics [https://www.instagram.com/restispolitics/] Twitter: @restispolitics [https://twitter.com/RestIsPolitics] Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com [therestispolitics@goalhanger.com] __________ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

539. Embezzlement, the Mandelson Texts, and Hasan Piker's UK Ban

What does the SNP embezzlement case reveal about how scandal-ridden British politics is? Is the banning of prominent left-wing American commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur a sensible decision or a serious threat to free speech? After Rory and Alastair discussed their most “evil” handshakes last week, who is the most “angelic” person they have each shaken hands with? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this week's edition of Question Time. __________ Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE [https://mailchi.mp/fa3e66f5e4c7/trip-public-newsletter], featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta] 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 fuseenergy.com/politics [https://fuseenergy.com/politics] and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics [https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=restispolitics&pers=true&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off840&utm_source=aff92700] It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics [https://www.instagram.com/restispolitics/] Twitter: @restispolitics [https://twitter.com/RestIsPolitics] Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com [therestispolitics@goalhanger.com] __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Adam Thornton, Vasco Andrade 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

538. The Pope’s AI Warning and Alastair Reacts to Blair’s Attack

Is Pope Leo’s encyclical the most important contribution to the AI debate so far, and is he doing more to hold Silicon Valley to account than any Western government? What did Alastair say to Tony Blair about his explosive essay attacking the direction of Starmer’s government, the Labour Party, and net zero? Why does Rory think Blair is now closer to JD Vance than to the values that defined New Labour? 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 [https://mailchi.mp/fa3e66f5e4c7/trip-public-newsletter], featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com [https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta] 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 fuseenergy.com/politics [https://fuseenergy.com/politics] and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics [https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=restispolitics&pers=true&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off840&utm_source=aff92700] It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics [https://www.instagram.com/restispolitics/] Twitter: @restispolitics [https://twitter.com/RestIsPolitics] Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com [therestispolitics@goalhanger.com] __________ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]