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The Rest is Politics and Alistair Campbell

207 replies

Mixymaxymoxy · 20/10/2026 12:14

Why do you think The Rest is Politics is so popular? And how did everyone forgive Alistair Campbell for his role in the Iraq war?

I did enjoy it to begin with - for political gossip and Rory’s experience of travelling and working abroad and in government. But over time I have found them unbearably, insufferably smug, and their take on women’s issues gives me rage. Laughing about how useless they are at home, what selfish dads and partners they are / were, then utterly it as an issue.

I didn’t march against the Iraq war, wasn’t in the UK at the time. But Campbell was utterly loathed by many for his role in it. How has he been so thoroughly redeemed? They are topping the podcast charts, filling huge venues and making an absolutely fortune. What’s the appeal?

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 15:52

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 20/10/2026 15:51

The other one I quite like is the private eye podcast.

I didn’t know there was one. Thank you, added to my list.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 15:55

Seems as good a place as any to mention PodSaveTheUK podcast 😁- "News Quiz" fans may know the name Coco Khan.

Abra1t · 20/10/2026 15:55

Raiderofthelostbattenburg · 20/10/2026 13:21

I am personally not a massive fan of The Rest is Politics, but I can see it's appeal in that they talk about politics in a fairly accessible, engaging way, whilst also having huge depths of knowledge. I do think the fact Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart represent different opinions but are both broadly within the centre is also part of the appeal - I think a lot of people are just quite fatigued with polarised, extreme political debate, and so, maybe find something reassuring in a more nuanced conversation over small differences.

I agree with this as a centrist and I ought to really love TRIP but I find them both insuffererable, especially on women's issues and bloody Grace's views being taken as wisdom.

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:01

Abra1t · 20/10/2026 15:55

I agree with this as a centrist and I ought to really love TRIP but I find them both insuffererable, especially on women's issues and bloody Grace's views being taken as wisdom.

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The Rest Is Politics is owned by 'Goalhanger', a company owned by far-left luvvie Gary Lineker.

To think that it is in any was un-biased is wishful thinking.

BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 16:03

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:01

The Rest Is Politics is owned by 'Goalhanger', a company owned by far-left luvvie Gary Lineker.

To think that it is in any was un-biased is wishful thinking.

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Well they interview plenty of right wing politicians so it would appear that’s irrelevant.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:05

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:01

The Rest Is Politics is owned by 'Goalhanger', a company owned by far-left luvvie Gary Lineker.

To think that it is in any was un-biased is wishful thinking.

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Speaking of Goalhanger and AC, is it just me who find the voice in the trailer for "Bear Hunt" sounds like Alistair Campbell ?

MargoLivebetter · 20/10/2026 16:06

Didn't Michael Gove (that well known far-left wing lovie) just co-host TRIP?

I like the Private Eye podcast too but it is unashamedly plugging PE, which I also get and so tends to be a bit repetitive for me. But if you don't get PE, it is well worth a listen.

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:08

BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 16:03

Well they interview plenty of right wing politicians so it would appear that’s irrelevant.

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Have they had Farage or Rupert Lowe on there?

TonTonMacoute · 20/10/2026 16:10

It's a mystery to me too, he has been proved utterly wrong so many times, not to mention dangerously deceitful, why on earth do they wheel him out to pontificate on matters so often.

I'm afraid that Julie Burchill's description of him as Tony Blair's Groom of the Stool is an image I can't shake. She also wrote this about him:

"...and doubtless looks in the mirror each morning and mouths the words ‘rock star’." Which is unflatteringly believable, but made me laugh out loud.

BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 16:11

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:08

Have they had Farage or Rupert Lowe on there?

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They’ve had Nahdim Zahawi, does he count? Being Reform and all. I seem to remember Farage has been invited but he turned it down.

MargoLivebetter · 20/10/2026 16:12

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:08

Have they had Farage or Rupert Lowe on there?

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They've openly said that they've asked Farage multiple times. Don't know about Rupert Lowe.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:13

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:08

Have they had Farage or Rupert Lowe on there?

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A much more useful question would be have they asked Farage or Rupert Lowe on there ? Because I suspect there are two people who would run a mile before appearing in a situation where someone might actually ask questions and - the humanity of it - dissect the answers given. Not a style of politicking that either would aspire to.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:14

They’ve had Nahdim Zahawi, does he count?

Well, according to HMRC .... no.

BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 16:20

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:14

They’ve had Nahdim Zahawi, does he count?

Well, according to HMRC .... no.

😂

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 20/10/2026 16:22

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:08

Have they had Farage or Rupert Lowe on there?

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They have repeatedly offered them to come on. There is an open invitation to Farage and Lowe and Trump and many more.
However their invitations repeatedly go unanswered. I guess Farage and his merry men cannot cope with their actions being questioned 🤷🏻‍♀️

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:29

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 20/10/2026 16:22

They have repeatedly offered them to come on. There is an open invitation to Farage and Lowe and Trump and many more.
However their invitations repeatedly go unanswered. I guess Farage and his merry men cannot cope with their actions being questioned 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Asked questions by a war criminal who took the UK into an illegal war in Iraq, estimated to be directly responsible for 100,000 - 200,000 deaths, with a further 400,000 - 600,000 deaths resulting from the knock-on effects?

MargoLivebetter · 20/10/2026 16:30

@Amythomas I didn't know that Lowe and Farage were against the war in Iraq. When did they come out and say that?

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:34

MargoLivebetter · 20/10/2026 16:30

@Amythomas I didn't know that Lowe and Farage were against the war in Iraq. When did they come out and say that?

Nice attempt at sealioning. As far as I am aware they had nothing to do with taking us into a war with Iraq.

MargoLivebetter · 20/10/2026 16:41

I just had to look up sealioning. I'm not pretending to be civil, I am genuinely civil and interested. I was opposed to the war in Iraq and one of the reasons I dislike Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell are because of the nonsense we were fed about WMD.

To date, I have found Reform to be very confusing as to where they stand on the war with Iran. One minute they seem to be saying that they would go in all guns blazing side to side with Trump and next minute that we shouldn't involve ourselves. I remain curious!

However, we digress down a flying monkey rabbit hole. 😁

BIossomtoes · 20/10/2026 16:42

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:29

Asked questions by a war criminal who took the UK into an illegal war in Iraq, estimated to be directly responsible for 100,000 - 200,000 deaths, with a further 400,000 - 600,000 deaths resulting from the knock-on effects?

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Campbell never held elected office. The only thing he could take into war is toy soldiers.

jumpintheline · 20/10/2026 16:42

Used to love this and found Rory Stewart really interesting. Alastair Campbell a bit overbearing and self important at times. I do appreciate how openly he talks about mental health and bipolar disorder though.

My fave from the franchise is The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osmon and Marina Hyde. Listen to every episode.

Also quite enjoy the Dominic thingy and Tabitha - The Book Club. Although they’ve reviewed so many boring books I’ve skipped loads of episodes.

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 20/10/2026 16:45

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:29

Asked questions by a war criminal who took the UK into an illegal war in Iraq, estimated to be directly responsible for 100,000 - 200,000 deaths, with a further 400,000 - 600,000 deaths resulting from the knock-on effects?

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That’s a bit of a reach! He wasn’t an elected official. He isn’t responsible for choices and decisions others made. Nor is he responsible for the false narrative being fed to the UK government by the US. Mistakes were made but calling him a war criminal is a huge exaggeration.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:45

Amythomas · 20/10/2026 16:29

Asked questions by a war criminal who took the UK into an illegal war in Iraq, estimated to be directly responsible for 100,000 - 200,000 deaths, with a further 400,000 - 600,000 deaths resulting from the knock-on effects?

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When was Campbell elected ? You will have to remind me.

SerendipityJane · 20/10/2026 16:47

To date, I have found Reform to be very confusing as to where they stand on the war with Iran. One minute they seem to be saying that they would go in all guns blazing side to side with Trump and next minute that we shouldn't involve ourselves. I remain curious!

It's almost as if they are looking for the most popular position, rather than the more principled.

Thesque · 20/10/2026 16:49

Those recommending IFS, which one as there seems to be a few?

Sealioning.
Had to Google and yes, I'm so glad there's a word for it. Drives me nuts.