The Rest Is Politics

Trump and JD Vance’s theological clash with the Pope sparks a fierce discussion on religion, power and the Christian right. Then it turns to the money behind far-right movements across Britain and Europe, from transnational networks to Orbán’s influence machine. There’s also a look at whether devolution fuelled nationalism in Scotland and Wales.

Starmer faces intense scrutiny over the Mandelson appointment, political judgment, and fraying trust inside government. The conversation then turns to Iran, with Trump’s upheaval of nuclear containment and the rising danger of escalation. Sudan’s devastating war also looms large, as failed peace efforts point to a wider breakdown in global order.

A political scandal unfolds around Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting and whether Keir Starmer knew more than he admits. The conversation digs into blame-shifting, weak control over senior appointments, and a damaging four-month information gap. It also explores why Labour MPs could start doubting his leadership at a critical moment.

Liam Byrne, Labour MP and former cabinet minister, joins a lively conversation on the rise of populism. They dig into persuadable voters, immigration and earned citizenship, fairness in capitalism, wealth-building for ordinary people, bold economic action, stronger local institutions, and the power of communities to push back against division.

Hungary’s shock political upset sparks a wider debate about whether right wing populists can be beaten. Trump’s influence, Farage’s vulnerabilities and the flow of crypto money into Reform all come under the spotlight. There’s also a look at the splintering of politics in England, Scotland and Wales, plus a brief escape to the Galapagos.

Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade sparks fears of global economic chaos, collapsing diplomacy with Iran, and a US drift into permanent emergency politics. There’s also a look at why ceasefires keep falling apart, how Washington’s moves could reshape alliances, and what stood out in a striking conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy about leadership and Europe’s future.

Viktor Orbán’s dramatic fall sparks a bigger question: is far-right populism losing its grip? The conversation explores how Péter Magyar broke the old playbook, why backing from Trump, Vance and Putin may have backfired, and what Hungary’s political shift could mean for Ukraine, EU unity, and Russian influence in Europe.

Trump’s threats to NATO spark questions about Europe’s security and America’s reliability. Hungary’s looming vote puts Viktor Orbán’s grip on power under the spotlight. There’s also a look at populism, Keir Starmer’s political test, tech-right obsessions with Tolkien, and how football reflects global inequality.

Has Trump crossed the line from right-wing populist to fascist? Is he fighting a war with Iran he cannot win? Is Iraq being dragged in against its will? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Alastair Campbell 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, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com 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. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/politics. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @restispolitics Email: 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

Liam Byrne, Labour MP, former minister and author on populism, digs into why the movement feels so powerful. He explores how financial crises, wage stagnation and local decline fuel anger. They get into strongman politics, nostalgia, blame, and why broken systems make disruption so appealing.