logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
51m 23s

23: John Major: From Brixton to Downing ...

Goalhanger
About this episode

Why is Sir John Major a Tory? How did he make it from Brixton to 10 Downing Street? What was it like to witness the fall of Margaret Thatcher first hand?


In the first of two episodes, Rory and Alastair are joined by the former prime minister to answer all these questions and more.


John Major - Episode 2:

If you'd like to hear episode two right now, sign up to The Rest is Politics Plus at therestispolitics.com for £3.49. You'll also enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes.


Instagram:

@restispolitics


Twitter:

@RestIsPolitics


Email:

restispolitics@gmail.com


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 24
150. Nicola Sturgeon: What Really Happened In The Scottish Referendum (Part 2)
How did the media and Westminster impact the Scottish Referendum? Why are spin rooms "utterly pointless" in Nicola's view? Is misogyny in politics as bad as it used to be, or getting worse due to social media? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nicola Sturgeon for part 2 of their in ... Show More
1h 7m
Aug 17
149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1)
What is the difference between class distinctions in Scotland and the rest of the UK? How did Nicola Sturgeon's childhood in Scotland inform her politics? What was Margaret Thatcher's influence on Nicola's career? Rory and Alastair are joined by former Leader of the SNP and First ... Show More
46m 34s
Aug 14
148. The President of Guyana: The Fastest Growing Economy in the World (Irfaan Ali)
How does Guyana balance its unprecedented economic growth, largely due to oil discoveries, with environmental sustainability? How does Guyana perceive and address the historical scar left by slavery? What has happened to West Indies cricket, and how does the future look? Alastair ... Show More
1h 2m
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
205. How to combat populism, debating Bill Gates, and David Cameron on the world stage (Part 2)
What stopped the Middle East from descending into regional conflict following the events of October 7th? Why did 2023 see so many coups across the Sahel? Is David Cameron now Rishi Sunak's biggest asset? Join Rory and Alastair for the second episode of their two-part special as t ... Show More
48m 1s
Apr 2024
234. Question Time: Why New Labour introduced tuition fees, Thatcher and Blair’s canvassing secrets, and the greatest prime minister we never had
Who would have been in Rory’s cabinet if he had won the 2019 Tory leadership contest? Who is the best prime minister we never had? How can we fix England and Wales' struggling universities? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on today’s episode of TRIP Questio ... Show More
33m 20s
Apr 2023
122. Question Time: Leaking Liz Truss, the funniest person in politics, and ‘Killing Thatcher’
Is leaking a way to get ahead in politics? What did Paddy Ashdown do to Rory? Should Joe Biden run for President again? Listen as Alastair and Rory answer these questions and more… Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter:bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus:Become a member of The Rest Is ... Show More
33m 27s
Dec 2023
199. Question Time: Why the infected blood scandal still haunts today’s politics
How uncomfortable are the left with Starmer’s praise of Margaret Thatcher? Does Sunak’s stance on legal migration undermine British universities? What’s next for George Santos? Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all these questions and more on this week’s Question Time. 📱Prot ... Show More
40m 13s
Mar 2023
107. Question Time: Bernie Sanders vs. Michael Foot, Universal Basic Income, and Boris Johnson's NATO ambitions...
Is there any point in writing to your MP? What are the benefits of UBI? Why do we say 'Mrs' Thatcher, but not 'Mr' Suank? Listen to hear all these questions answered, plus Rory and Alastair's cultural recommendations for the week, their thoughts on the chances of Boris Johnson be ... Show More
37m 9s
Nov 2023
193. What makes the Tory right so powerful?
Why do the ERG and the right wing of the Tory party hold so much power over their leadership? Could a universal basic income work? How often do Rory and Alastair think about the Roman Empire? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this week's Questi ... Show More
39m 55s
Apr 2023
123. DOMINIC RAAB RESIGNS
Why has Dominic Raab resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and what does it mean for the future of the Conservative government? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss all this and more on this evening's emergency podcast. Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter:bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP ... Show More
31m 3s
Sep 2023
168. Crumbling Britain, a ruthless reshuffle, and Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘beautiful ears’
Who’s to blame for the UK’s crumbling infrastructure? Has Starmer’s shadow cabinet reshuffle strengthened his hand? Why is Rory such a fan of Jeremy Corbyn’s ears? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more on today’s episode of The Rest Is Politics. TRIP ... Show More
55m 44s
Mar 2024
227. Biden’s aid port in Gaza, Tory defection to Reform, and a mole at the top of the IRA
Are we witnessing a Biden resurgence after his State of the Union address? Will Tory MPs follow Lee Anderson to Reform UK? Who was the double agent at the top of the IRA? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more on today’s episode of The Rest Is Politics. TRIP ELEC ... Show More
49m 52s
Feb 2024
220. Sunak's by-election disaster, Reform UK gains momentum, and political crisis in Rochdale
Will the rise of Reform UK be the downfall of the Conservatives? How consequential are Labour's by-election victories? Who will win in Rochdale? Join Rory and Alastair for an impromptu Friday episode of The Rest Is Politics as they answer all these questions and more. Buy tickets ... Show More
31m 26s