The Rest Is Politics: Leading

This show is genuinely brilliant. Both presenters bring real knowledge, experience, and passion, and what makes it stand out is how they challenge each other from opposite sides without turning it into noise. Rory’s deep dives are fascinating, and Alastair explains things with such calm clarity that complex issues actually make sense. I wish more people in politics were like this, asking the right questions, doing the work, and focusing on real change instead of just shouting the loudest.

00Angeliki P 00 · GB

Some episodes (Kinnock springs to mind) are outstanding. Others are less good but still very interesting. And some are not worth the time or energy (Gove’s interview was simply awful, he was arrogant and condescending with no real sense he has ever learned or reflected). And some (Pompeo) I just can’t bring myself to listen to. Rory and Allistair’s interview style seems a bit hit and miss. I like the long form of the pod, it allows a real insight to the person being interviewed. But sometimes it’s a bit too cozy and all-boys club (I’m thinking the Gove interview) and sometimes it’s nasty and argumentative (Polanski). A better balance between the two would be appreciated. But where the pod really goes downhill is the almost constant ads. I’m not stupid, I know ads are needed to fund the pod. But I hate ads “disguised” as pod content, they’re dishonest and manipulative. Some of the ad breaks appear quite-literally mid sentence (this seems to have got worse recently as they’ve clearly moved them from the start of the pod to try and minimise ad skipping). And there are just far too many, each ad break is at least 2-3 minutes and there are several per episode. So dial back on the ads and be more consistent with the coziness / the snark.

Tabieth · GB

Thank you.

Buster1066 · AU

The greatest labour PM we never had. A real hero in the opposition to M Thatcher.

peterleha · GB

Thank you both.

chateau10 · AU

Brilliant episodes with Neil Kinnock. Wonderful orator, who has lost none of his magic. I could listen to him endlessly.

TIEITM · GB

A great podcast filled with good quality interviews. A more ‘slow news’ segment that offers more profound insights into politics and foreign policy today. I thought that Maya Sandu’s interview was by far the one of the best that I have heard in a while. An astute and nuanced perspective on Eastern Europe, without too much emotion or hyperbole. Also, an incredibly impressive persona. Thank you for your tireless work!

ashevetovska · GB

This is getting too thin for me. Started well, but less interesting guests and Rory’s hectoring style, trying to score points, have worn thin enough for me to leave. Shame really; it seems to have swapped quality for quantity.

Leapy Lee 351 · GB

I have been a regular listener for long and I enjoy your coverage and interviews but loved the session with Polanski. I was skeptical about greens and Zack and your interview made me change my mind. Very few politicians are authentic and bring their true self in public, showing their vulnerability, very few demonstrate how they have grown and have changed their mind openly and explain why. Zack clearly did that. I liked how Rory was trying the educate and make him aware on economy and if Zack is growing how he has so far he would reflect on that too.

Faraz JM · GB

Have very much liked the recent episodes with Gove, Polanski & Pompeo. I found myself loathing the first two and wanted to like the third. Polanski spoke well, is engaging and has an idea on his target state for the UK but has no clear plan on how to get from A to B. Which left me wondering, is he an actor playing the role of a politician?

cosmic tony 17 · GB

Subscribers dry

George Agdgdgdwango · GB

It’s a real skill to challenge an interviewee with wit and grace. Unfortunately, both these interviewers lack this skill, as becomes clear whenever they interview someone they disagree with (which is rare, but it does sometimes happen). I know this won’t be taken up - too much ego - but there are actually courses you can go on for this sort of thing.

ManonRails · GB

Live the show but,sorry, Polanski unlistenable to after 15 mins. Way too fast, get media training not excuses.

doublledd · AU

Would be great to someone balance intellect and interview skills to lead this podcast instead of Rory

Review11211 · GB

Zack Polanski, real name David Paulden, is spectacularly poorly informed on economics. It’s a shame Campbell and Stewart seemed unable to challenge him.

Voodoo thursday · GB

Rory’s smugness and wanting to trip up his interviewees and fan his feathers to demonstrate that he is somehow more intellectual than them, is exhausting and ruins the episode. Have unsubscribed.

E.M82 · GB

Have been a long time listener but cannot stomach the recent interviews with Zach Polanski and Gary Stevenson. Rory in particular was pompous, arrogant and condescending towards two of the most interesting people in our political discourse at the moment. As you have both talked about at length on this podcast the status quo in our politics is broken. Yet you seem so resistant to anyone who proposes the radical alternatives that are needed. You both come across as very hypocritical and part of the problem with the establishment.

Ralph5445 · GB

I was pleasantly surprised by your bagpipe playing Alistair!!!

sarbath · GB

His glib apologia for Israel’s war crimes just confirms what we already knew about him. His arrogance is astounding and he should be charged with corruption on Michelle Mone PPE.

Duval III · GB

You guys have gone subscription only mad. Is it really just all about the money?

Jim 6772 · GB

Oh my goodness. As usual Stewart and Campbell open to everything apart from an opinion that differs from their own. So aggressive towards anything and anyone that dissents from their pre-conceived leftist, pro-woke, anti-Israel, anti-Trump, anti-Brexit, anti-capitalist agenda. All rather ironic given their huge proceeds from advertising. This should be called Following, not Leading.

London Humanist · GB

That was one of the best Leadings yet. What a lady. What an intellect with a warm human touch. Well done for asking the right questions. The choir story: lol

Omianto · GB

Rory and Alastair- I have been a listener of Leading, The Rest is Politics UK and US for quite a few years but I am sadly unsubscribing due to the irritating subscriber only episode model of recent times. So dull! I love your content and will be delighted to come back if this reverts to access all episodes. Thanks for our good times together 😊

Flossie Morris · GB

TRIP+ please can the non privileged access the TRIP+ series which I'd though would be accessible a month or so after the TRIP+ subscribers can listen. I can't listen to any of those series and can't afford a subscription. Please tell me I'm doing it wrong or you are. I'd expect this from Rory but Alastair ? Come on guys, it's tough out there. Let's hear those fantastic episodes please. Pausing my TRIP experience in protest until then.

icraigi1968 · NZ

John healey crumbled when asked about the flags. Turned it off after that. You know where his loyalty lies

Lee659 · GB