Join Alastair and Rory for this week's pod, where they discuss Patel's plans to send refugees to Rwanda from Britain, the role of religion in politics, and the mysterious ideologue that some believe is the brains behind Putin. There are also plenty of listener questions, which range from Trump's possible return in 2024 to whether political parties should be solely state-funded. The Rest Is Politics - Live! Wednesday 25th May - 7pm Leicester Square Theatre, London Tickets: https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/the-rest-is-politics-live/ Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's pod Alastair and Rory discuss the police fines that Johnson and Sunak have received for their roles in Partygate, the current political situation in both France and Pakistan, and the role of spouses in politics. After the break they also drill down into what Alastair and Rory vehemently disagree on politically. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could this be the final ever episode of The Rest Is Politics after Rory's revelation last Friday, 1st April? Hopefully not! After more terrible news from Ukraine and some countries refusing to shun Russia, could this crisis herald the end of a globalism? Also, reaction to populist leaders Orban and Le Pen gaining support in Europe, the ethics of working with questionable regimes, and what first attracted Rory Stewart to the Conservative Party? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producers: Tony Pastor & Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do the Royal family and the Commonwealth still have a place in the modern world? Alastair and Rory discuss Rwanda and countries recovering from war, whether Joe Biden is an effective communicator, how the relationship between the media and politicians really works, and why certain people find it hard to criticise their own party. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Rory returns from a tour of Iraq with a landmine charity, what lessons can be learned from the country since the occupation, and how could they be applied to the current situation in Ukraine? Also, is Belarus getting off too lightly in terms of sanctions, can Britain become 'food independent' again, and what is the power dynamic between Prime Ministers and Chancellors of the Exchequer? Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who is winning the communications landscape in Ukraine? Alastair and Rory discuss the importance of soft power, the sacrifices needed to free European dependency on Russian oil, the most intimidating politicians, and whether private schools like Eton have a healthy impact on British society. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our most recent episode, Alastair mentioned our sister podcast, The Rest Is History, and its recent mini-series on the Soviet Union, its fall, Putin's early life and his subsequent rise to power. Here's the first episode of the series on Brezhnev, Putin's formative years, his early KGB career and Gorbachev's descent into chaos. Was Putin a nationalist or a communist? What changed from Brezhnev to Gorbachev? What was Putin doing in East Germany during the Soviet twilight years? Find the next episode in the series here: Apple Spotify Elsewhere Or search 'The Rest Is History' wherever you get your podcasts. See you on Wednesday for our next episode of 'The Rest Is Politics'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell! With Ukrainian refugees struggling to claim asylum in the UK, why aren't the British government's actions matching up to its rhetoric? Rory and Alastair discuss the importance of personal relationships in matters of state, and question whether the current honours system is fit for purpose after former education and defence secretary Gavin Williamson was given a knighthood. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: [email protected] Goalhanger Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's Vladimir Putin like to deal with in person? On the first episode of "The Rest Is Politics", Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart tackle the latest developments in Ukraine, give their insight into the most effective next steps for NATO, explain how Russian money has affected British politics, and discuss celebrity activism. Follow us: Twitter Instagram Email the show: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices