Should spies be allowed to break the law while undercover? What should the relationship between government and intelligence look like? Do we overestimate or underestimate the power and reach of Russia’s FSB and China’s intelligence service?

On today’s special episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Eliza Manningham-Buller and John Sawers to discuss what it’s really like to lead MI5 and MI6, respectively.

This episode was recorded before the IS-Khorasan attack in Moscow.



67. A Tale of Two Spies: The former heads of MI5 and MI6 on the Iraq War, double agents, and the IRA

Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, hosts of Britain's biggest podcast (The Rest Is Politics), have joined forces once again for their new interview podcast, ‘Leading’.

Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world's biggest names - from both inside and outside of politics - about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.

Whether they're sports stars, thought-leaders, presidents or internationally-recognised religious figures, Alastair and Rory lift the lid on the motivation, philosophy and secrets behind their career.

Tune in to 'Leading' now to hear essential conversation from some of the world's most enthralling individuals. 

Goalhanger Podcasts

News

Politics

Government

"If I were 22 now, I probably wouldn't vote Conservative" - Kwasi Kwarteng

In the first of two episodes with the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rory and Alastair speak to Kwasi about the future of the Tory Party, New Labour's conservatism, Rishi Sunak, Rwanda, Brexit, Liz Truss, diversity in politics, the British Empire, and much, much more.

If you'd like to hear the second episode RIGHT NOW, it's already available to members of The Rest Is Politics Plus - sign up at therestispolitics.com. If you're not a member, it will be released next Monday (20th May) on the public feed.

Podcast Editor: Nathan Copelin
Video Editor: Teo Ayodeji-Ansell
Social Producer: Jess Kidson
Assistant Producer: Fiona Douglas
Producer: Nicole Maslen
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Head of Content: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

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, 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.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.

TRIP ELECTION TOUR:
To buy tickets for our October Election Tour, just head to www.therestispolitics.com

Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

73. Kwasi Kwarteng: Boris Johnson, the British Empire, and Rwanda (Part 1)

How did Nancy Pelosi rise up to be the most politically powerful woman in America? What was it like to attend JFK's inauguration? What's the key secret behind fundraising in US politics?

Rory and Alastair join Speaker Emerita, Nancy Pelosi, to answer all these questions and more.

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, 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.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.

TRIP ELECTION TOUR:
To buy tickets for our October Election Tour, just head to www.therestispolitics.com

Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com

Video Editor: Teo Ayodeji-Ansell
Social Producer: Jess Kidson
Assistant Producer: Fiona Douglas
Producer: Nicole Maslen
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Head of Content: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

72. Nancy Pelosi: From JFK's inauguration to fighting Donald Trump

How much do you know about the last serious attempt at a two state solution in the Israel-Gaza conflict? 

On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by former Israeli PM, Ehud Olmert, to discuss his time in office, the likelihood of a two state solution, and historic corruption charges.

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, 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. 
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.
Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com
Producers: Dom Johnson + Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Fiona Douglas
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

71. Israel's former PM on why Netanyahu is finished, the settler movement, and corruption - Ehud Olmert

How much power does the Mayor of London actually have? Have we moved forward - or backwards - as a country when it comes to religion in politics? Should London take a leaf out of New York's book to boost investment in the city?

On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to discuss all this and more.

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, 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.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.

TRIP ELECTION TOUR:
To buy tickets for our October Election Tour, just head to www.therestispolitics.com

Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com

Producers: Dom Johnson + Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Fiona Douglas
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

70. Sadiq Khan: Faith, power, and the truth about Boris Johnson

Is net zero 2030 impossible to achieve - and is it a mistake to pursue it? Should governments be more brutal with climate investment? Are events like COP a waste of time?

Rory and Alastair are joined by Britain’s leading energy economist, Professor Dieter Helm, to answer all these questions and more.

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, 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.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.

TRIP ELECTION TOUR:
To buy tickets for our October Election Tour, just head to www.therestispolitics.com

Instagram:
@restispolitics
Twitter:
@RestIsPolitics
Email:
restispolitics@gmail.com
Producers: Dom Johnson + Nicole Maslen
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

67. A Tale of Two Spies: The former heads of MI5 and MI6 on the Iraq War, double agents, and the IRA

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