Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Politics - Episode 416: "Question Time: What the Head of MI6 Really Does"

Release Date: June 18, 2025

Hosts: Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart
Podcast: The Rest Is Politics
Description: Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart break down current affairs in the UK and abroad, offering insider perspectives and expert analysis on British and global politics.

1. Introduction and Announcements (00:00 - 03:52)

The episode begins with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart promoting their membership program, The Rest Is Politics Plus, highlighting exclusive content and early access benefits. They announce their upcoming miniseries focused on JD Vance, slated to launch on Friday, June 20th.

Notable Quote:

• Alastair Campbell (01:28): "The evolution of J.D. Vance from, as Rory says, never Trumper to the potential heir to MAGA."

2. Current Events in Northern Ireland: Ballymena Protests (03:52 - 08:24)

The hosts delve into the recent unrest in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, sparked by the arrest of two 14-year-old Romanian boys on allegations of sexual assault. This incident ignited anti-immigration protests that escalated into violent clashes, including the arson of a leisure center. They discuss the historical context of Northern Ireland's ethnic diversity and the impact of the Good Friday Agreement on the younger generation's perception of violence and integration.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (04:28): "As a Christian, he just wants to apologize for Donald Trump."
• Alastair Campbell (05:55): "Is there something that makes people from backgrounds that have been used to violence through time more prone to this kind of violence?"

3. Rise of Right-Wing Extremism in Germany (08:24 - 15:58)

Exploring a recent report by German intelligence on the surge of far-right extremism, the hosts examine the statistics showing a 46% increase in crimes with extremist backgrounds, totaling 57,701 incidents. They highlight the dominance of right-wing extremists over left-wing and Islamist terrorism and discuss the challenges posed by parties like the AfD, which attract individuals with overtly extremist views.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (10:49): "Of those 57,000 or 58,000 crimes with an extremist background, almost two-thirds of them, the extremists are right wing extremists."
• Alastair Campbell (12:53): "They dropped anti Semitic crime up at 37,000. That’s nearly 20 times as many going on."

4. Assassination Attempt on Minnesota Democratic Politicians (16:31 - 20:09)

The conversation shifts to a recent assassination attempt on Minnesota Democratic leaders, where Rory criticizes former President Trump's contradictory stance on condemning violence while simultaneously promoting divisive rhetoric. They discuss the implications of such polarized responses on national unity and political discourse.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (16:31): "Trump came out, I think, quite rightly to say such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America."
• Alastair Campbell (19:00): "You never get credit, you never get thanks. Most of you don't make it very high up the ladder."

5. Debate on Immigration Policies (20:09 - 25:00)

A Reddit comment challenges Alastair's stance on immigration, labeling him as a "virtue-signaling rich liberal" who lacks real-world experience with the consequences of immigration. Alastair responds by emphasizing his personal experiences growing up in ethnically diverse communities and defending his open-border policies. The exchange highlights their differing viewpoints on immigration's economic and social impacts.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (21:22): "Alastair just doesn't get it... He hasn't suffered a single negative consequence of immigration."
• Alastair Campbell (24:31): "I don't think that making open minds, open borders... makes me a virtue signal."

6. Appointment of Blaise Metroelli as Head of MI6 (28:01 - 31:23)

The hosts discuss the recent appointment of Blaise Metroelli as the new head of MI6, marking the first woman to hold the position. They reflect on her extensive experience within the intelligence community and the strategic challenges she will face, including shifting focus from international terrorism to emerging threats from Russia and China.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (30:40): "Structurally, the only challenge she faces is that she came into the service very, very soon before 9/11."
• Alastair Campbell (31:01): "She'll be very good with the politicians and that's a big part of the job."

7. Public Perception of Politicians Post-Tenure (31:23 - 35:35)

Alastair and Rory analyze why former politicians often appear more balanced and reasonable once out of office. They attribute this phenomenon to the removal of party pressures, media scrutiny, and the ability to express nuanced viewpoints without the constraints of political agendas. Rory cites examples of politicians like Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid transitioning to thoughtful commentators.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (34:07): "Modern politics takes often people who are quite impressive before they went into politics."
• Alastair Campbell (35:35): "Politicians who come out of politics and don't feel that their prime purpose is to project themselves in a positive way."

8. Cuts to the BBC World Service and Implications for Soft Power (35:35 - 42:46)

The discussion turns to the UK government's decision to reduce the BBC World Service budget, which Alastair argues weakens Britain's soft power against rising information warfare from nations like Russia, China, and Iran. Rory adds that the decline in investment has undermined the BBC's global influence, making it harder for the UK to project its cultural and political values internationally.

Notable Quotes:

• Alastair Campbell (38:15): "We've just lost Joe Nye, who... captured how real power in the world is often not about your guns or your ships."
• Rory Stewart (39:44): "The BBC World Service has been an incredibly important part of Britain's voice... we began to close all our language stations around the world."

9. Anti-Tourism Protests in Europe (42:46 - 49:46)

In the final segment, the hosts explore the rise of anti-tourism protests across Europe, citing incidents in Venice, Barcelona, and Mallorca. They discuss the economic dependence on tourism in these regions and propose solutions like higher-end, year-round tourism to balance local needs with tourist demands. Rory emphasizes the importance of managing tourism sustainably to prevent economic imbalance and social tensions.

Notable Quotes:

• Rory Stewart (43:09): "Venice tourism income will be 90% of the income of the whole of Venice."
• Alastair Campbell (46:50): "It's a question of balance... perhaps central planning at the local level."

10. Closing Remarks and Promotions (49:46 - 50:26)

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter between the hosts and a final reminder for listeners to subscribe to their upcoming JD Vance miniseries.

Notable Quote:

• Alastair Campbell (50:26): "Do not miss out on our first miniseries on J.D. Vance, which starts this Friday, June 20th."

Conclusion:

In this episode, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart tackle a range of pressing political issues, from local protests and international extremism to the strategic importance of intelligence agencies and the challenges of sustainable tourism. Their insightful discussions provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of both UK and global political landscapes, enriched by personal anecdotes and expert analysis.