logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
55m 4s

83. The Man Who Ran Downing Street

Goalhanger
About this episode
What are prime ministers really like behind closed doors? How do you become Britain’s most powerful civil servant? Are special advisors a force for good or ill? On today’s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Gus O’Donnell, the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service, to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a mem ... Show More
Up next
May 31
191. Is It Already Too Late to Control AI? (Anthropic Co-Founder, Jack Clark)
Why is one of AI's most powerful insiders scared of what he's building? Who's really in charge of the technology reshaping our world? Is it too late for governments to regulate it? Rory and Matt Clifford are joined by Jack Clark, Co-Founder of Anthropic, to answer all these quest ... Show More
1h 7m
May 24
190. How the Media Still Misunderstands Trump (Tina Brown)
Why does Trump understand the media better than the media understands him? Are tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos more dangerous to journalism than Rupert Murdoch ever was? What did Tina Brown see change in Trump from the '80s to now, and when did he turn "dark"? Ala ... Show More
1h 12m
May 17
189. Rahm Emanuel: China, Technology, and the Future of the Democratic Party
Will Rahm Emanuel run to be the next President of the United States? What were the underlying policy disagreements regarding West Bank settlements that led to Benjamin Netanyahu publicly attacking Rahm Emanuel? And, what approach would he take to handle the conflict with Iran and ... Show More
1h 13m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
279. The Day Britain Decides
What do politicians actually do on polling day? How does it feel to hear you’re the next prime minister? Should we care that The Sun has backed Labour? In the final episode of The Rest Is Politics before polling day, Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more. TRIP ... Show More
41m 46s
Jul 2024
281. How one night transformed British politics
What happens now? How radical will Starmer’s Labour be in government? Would a change of the voting system only further strengthen the far right? In the first episode of Keir Starmer’s premiership, Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member ... Show More
26m 25s
Nov 2023
191. Braverman sacked and Cameron returns
The emergency pod button has been pushed as David Cameron returns to politics and Suella Braverman has been sacked. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, ... Show More
52m 4s
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 Quest ... Show More
37m 55s
Jul 2023
152. The Power of Prigozhin
From a Siberian penal colony to the gold mines of the Central African Republic, who is Yevgeny Prigozhin and how did he become one of the most famous men in Russia today? Following Wagner's mutiny in Moscow last month, Rory and Alastair speak to chief foreign correspondent for N ... Show More
52m 43s
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 ... Show More
28m 3s
Apr 2023
124. Politicians vs. civil servants, evacuating Sudan, and Diane Abbott
What does Dominic Raab's resignation tell us about the battle between civil servants and ministers? How did Rory lead an evacuation during his time in Iraq? What next for Diane Abbott? Tune in to hear Alastair and Rory discuss all this and more in this week's main episode of TRI ... Show More
56m 30s
Aug 2023
166. Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and absolute populist power
What will happen to Wagner operations in Africa now that Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead? How dangerous is Modi's rhetoric for India and the world? Who has had a bigger impact on the constituents of Mid Bedfordshire in the last few months - Nadine Dorries or Darren Bent? Join Rory and ... Show More
57m 46s
Nov 2023
189. The King's Speech, performative cruelty, and Argentina
How have voters responded to President Biden's intervention in the Middle East? Was Sunak's summit on AI a success? Who will be the next Argentinian president? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss all this and more on today's episode of The Rest is Politics. 🌏 Get our exclusi ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2023
109. Question Time: Powerful speeches, population control and Isabel Oakeshott
What is the best speech Rory and Alastair have ever heard? Why is the cabinet so big? Would you rather trust Isabel Oakeshott or Xi Jinping with your phone? Rory and Alastair answer all these questions and more in this week's Question Time. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest ... Show More
30m 48s