The Rest Is Politics: Leading

Does Alistair have difficulty stopping Rory prefacing every question with his habitual « when I was….something or other… »? The Katty Kay interlude was refreshing.

An Adult listener · DE

Love your laconic style, both of you. I am writing because I want you to interview Economist Richard Murphy and his excellent work on explaining and educating a movement for MMT. This explanation for how our economy really works and his ideas for politics of care are enlightening and compelling in the face of Rachel Reeves continued austerity.

Jackyjack19 · GB

Will not miss an episode !!! Your podcast encourages exchanges of views , debates , dialogues in our family … and nourishes hope in my mind and heart ….. I am not ,after all , surrounded by ignorance , greed and anger ! There are still people who are thinking on this planet and working to contribute to a better future . Thank you in so many ways 🙏🌹

Cristina Buddhist · GB

I can’t be the only person who clearly remembers this guy in his Trump 1, Comms Dir incarnation, spouting his master’s vindictive, alt-reality messages like he really believed it! Now he’s referred to like a favourite pet, by people who I’d previously thought of as mature, critical thinkers. Did I miss his road to Damascus or has he done a “sales job” on them too?

Olly-Bee · GB

I don’t think I’ve missed one episode, and particularly loved the interview with Alex Younger. Gary Stevenson is fascinating altho I agree with Rory that he’s a bit too cocky, however impressive. Scott Galloway makes similar points very eloquently and he and Jon Stewart could be great interviewees.

annefnt · GB

Not balanced and so woke views on politics

Alvinmoe · AU

When leading was launched it had some amazing interviews. Long form and enlightening. Figures such as John Major bringing light and discussing major issues. Bill Clinton was also great. Over the last year things have gone downhill. We’ve had a plethora of minor US politicians and the unknown international great and the good. Not very inspiring. UK politicians have been forgotten or unavailable. On its day this is a superb podcast. Though quality and key issues politely discussed and debated. In the last six months it’s more a click as read and skip, rather than listen and delight in every episode.

Shep Ahoy · GB

Listening to Kevin McCarthy was painful at times, but I agree that he clearly doesn’t “like” Trump and many of his policies. If he says that openly, he will be targeted. Hence the clear opposition but still supports him. Chilling.

kkelly888 · CA

Une interview très intéressante de monsieur Attal En anglais, bravo. Un petit bémol pour Rory Stewart qui s’est déchaîné dans ses paroles et interruptions.

RetourAuxSources · FR

I love the Leading interviews and would like to renew my subscription next year but £70 is too much, and I don’t want to hear four episodes about the miserable JDVance. Is there any way you could consider extending the offer of £35 a year for those who just want to continue with The Rest is politics and Leading?

customer127 · GB

Did not finish this episode. I did not like the way he was asserting his history. His politics is a republican and parroting like a true republican. I cannot stand him, the way he talks, his sound of being sure. His a coach speaker probably that’s why the confidence is coming from. I have the power to tune out so I’m exercising my right I am a big fan of this poadcast.i just don’t like this one.

Nldv890 · PH

Thanks for revealing what a shallow mindless douche Kevin McCarthy is.

mad overlord · US

I love Rory he does give great insight. Why is Alastair not in The Hague though? War criminal

Karl Eire · IE

At least these two do deep dive into the issues. Often they can be accused of being centrist and not radical although it might appear that Rory might be secretly more radical than Alistair. However, they do fail to come up with answers to the rise of the right - perhaps because of their history. Overall it’s informed and interesting

Jonnyboy196812 · GB

Giving an unchallenged platform to Red Ed’s movement was the final straw

Revu123 · GB

It is very dangerous the game the UK government is playing with Silicon Valley and your NIH. Some honest discussion on the dangers of letting Palantir anywhere near your health system data. Lord Mandelson and his goals do not line up with the British public’s love of NIH. Time to have honest conversation about grifting.

lisalfarin · US

I love the podcast. I am in awe of Rory and Alistair and their wide knowledge and understanding of seemingly every global political issue. So wonderful to get some in depth and clear information about what is actually going on rather than the paltry offerings in our media. I’m in Australia with a British background.

Aussienewshound · AU

Alex Younger was an excellent guest. Your questions were interesting and I learned so much from his careful replies. Please ask him again. “Leading” is the best thing you do. Thank you.

Hazybeeps · GB

Excellent podcast.What a breath of fresh air in today’s usual hypocrisy from some media outlets.

selina dix · GB

Your interviews are a wonderful connection to our shared world.Written here to you from Australia . Thank you for the interview with Anthony Albanese our new Prime Minister voted in by an historic landslide May3 2025. His Victory speech is worth a listen.

More Cool Jane · AU

Atun Gawande was your worst guest to date. Gawande is the child of two entitled Indian doctors who immigrated to the United States to increase their wealth and provide better economic opportunities for their children. He helped push HilliaryCare in 1992, which would have created another awful and wasteful government bureaucracy. He also worked for the wasteful and corrupt USAID and laments its demise. But, he “knows” that with enough of other people’s money, that he can save millions of lives around the world. I know you boys have your fantasies about your abilities, but reality says otherwise. The USA taxpayers are sick of funding Gawande and Rory’s wife among others who do quite well be pretending to do good. You did not save the world in the time you were wasting taxpayer money to virtue signal, and the USA can no longer afford to keep paying for Gawande’s (and Rory’s) grift. It is time you sell your houses and stop paying for all that traveling you do to save the world, and start opening your own wallets to help the truly needy.

W. Greg Webb · US

Your latest episode with Sir Alex Younger was entertaining, fascinating and heartwarming. An incredibly compelling person with breadth and depth of knowledge. Loved it... please have him back on.

Jo Ingleton · AU

Two of the very best podcasters you can find. The content is always relevant and insightful; the delivery is enlightening. Thank you both! A fan from Canada.

Loulou, Quebec Prov. Canada · CA

These two blokes constitute a major part of what's left of our cultural exports. They are so well regarded that they attract many of the world's greatest political names as guests. This podcast really is us punching above our weight on the international stage. Thank you Rory and Alistair.

MarkT1964 · GB

Australian election. Did you ask our Prime Minister about our promised $275 reduction in power bills etc. No. You didn’t know about it because you’re not here. I’m a swinging voter, but keep in mind that you gave a softball interview to a trade unionist who said he loves killing Tories. Spending a few weeks in Australia doesn’t make you an expert I enjoy your podcasts. I know where Alistair comes from, but your labor light. Malcolm Turnbull springs to mind.

Rjs82 · AU