The Rest Is Politics - Episode 422: Things Can Only Get Better? Starmer's Stormy First Year

Release Date: July 1, 2025
Hosts: Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart
Podcast Description: Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart break down current affairs in the UK and abroad, analyzing the latest international news, debating global issues, and revealing secrets from Westminster. The podcast emphasizes intelligent, engaging discussions on British and global politics.

1. Introduction

In Episode 422 of The Rest Is Politics, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart delve into the tumultuous first year of Keir Starmer's leadership of the UK Labour Party. They analyze the internal dynamics, public perception, and policy challenges faced by Starmer's government. Following this, the hosts shift focus to Donald Trump, examining the monetization of his presidency and its implications for American politics.

2. Keir Starmer's First Year as Labour Leader

a. Overall Performance and Public Perception

Alastair Campbell opens the discussion by reflecting on the one-year mark since Keir Starmer's election as Labour leader. He observes a general sense of disappointment among the public, despite the initial goodwill stemming from Labour's strong electoral mandate.

Alastair Campbell [03:08]: "People just a bit disappointed, not sort of. Some people are furious, but not the sort of fury that there was with the Conservatives towards the end."

Rory Stewart concurs, acknowledging the difficulty of modern politics and highlighting Starmer's attempts to position Labour in the political center.

Rory Stewart [02:55]: "Occupying the center ground, which is what he's trying to do, I think he basically comes across as a technocrat in a world in which people aren't looking for people to tinker around the edges, but they're looking for much more revolutionary change."

b. Internal Party Issues and Rebellion

The hosts discuss the ongoing welfare rebellion, a significant challenge facing Starmer's government. Stewart points out that Starmer's focus on foreign policy issues may have led to domestic neglect, causing unrest within the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).

Alastair Campbell [05:50]: "You've been hearing...the whips have been telling them about this for weeks and months. So I think there does have to be a reset about the relationship with the PL, otherwise this will happen again."

Campbell reminisces about Tony Blair's approach to handling internal dissent, suggesting that Starmer may need to adopt similar strategies to rebuild trust within the party.

Alastair Campbell [06:39]: "When I was walking into the studio, I was listening to an interview with one young MP who said he hasn't met Keir Starmer since the election."

c. Policy Impact and Specifics (Welfare Rebellion)

The conversation delves into the specifics of the welfare reforms that sparked the rebellion. Campbell emphasizes the real-world implications, such as increased poverty and challenges in education and healthcare.

Alastair Campbell [10:28]: "On the specifics of the issue, I think it's almost like the rebellion or those who have decided that they were prepared to vote down the government on the second reading of a bill, which is quite a big thing to do."

Stewart adds that the government's handling of welfare reforms has undermined Labour's reputation for competence.

Rory Stewart [14:09]: "The choices that you make and there are consequences to the choices that you don't make. But I think that has fueled, called the sense of disillusionment..."

d. Comparisons to Past Labour Leaders

Campbell draws parallels between Starmer and former Labour leaders, noting that while Blair and Blairite centrism involved proactive engagement with MPs, Starmer's approach has been perceived as neglectful.

Alastair Campbell [16:36]: "Gordon Brown was able to increase NHS spending by what it was, 30, 40% over time...."

Stewart critiques Starmer's lack of a compelling narrative, which contrasts with the dynamic and visionary leadership of past leaders.

Rory Stewart [28:33]: "What makes the difference between a great politician and a poor politician isn't how many hours you work...It's the big story."

e. Analysis of Government Competence and Public Services

The hosts assess Labour's performance across key sectors:

• Economy: Rated mediocre, with cautious growth strategies.
• Health: Improvement noted, but challenges in productivity and patient outcomes persist.
• Education: Significant issues reported, including increased special educational needs and deteriorating school infrastructure.
• Crime: Public dissatisfaction high, with ineffective measures against rising crime rates.
• Environment (Green Policy): Positive strides made, with increased investment and imaginative strategies.

Alastair Campbell [35:07]: "Get back in the customs union... Education one, I'd have been more positive until the last week when I've been inside a few schools."

Rory Stewart [35:37]: "It's tinkering. It's not social democracy.... Britain will remain unequal."

f. Ratings and Summary Points

Campbell and Stewart provide a summary rating of Labour's performance, emphasizing areas needing immediate attention to regain public trust and internal cohesion.

Rory Stewart [35:50]: "The government structures are broken and just doesn't work and needs very, very fundamental constitutional reform."

Alastair Campbell [36:03]: "Health...pretty terrifyingly low...Green. I agree with you. I think they're doing better crime...not cutting through on that class ceiling."

3. Donald Trump and the Monetization of the American Presidency

a. Overview of Trump's Business Ventures During Presidency

Transitioning to American politics, Campbell and Stewart examine how Donald Trump has monetized his role as President. They highlight his extensive business dealings, including fragrances, sneakers, watches, and real estate projects like the $5.5 billion golf resort in Qatar.

Alastair Campbell [37:04]: "Trump fragrances are here. They're called Victory 4547 because they're all about winning, strength and success for men and women."

b. Analysis of Corruption and Financial Deals

The hosts delve into the various forms of corruption attributed to Trump, including embezzlement, foreign emoluments, nepotism, and misuse of office. They discuss how Trump's open commercialization contrasts with traditional corruption practices, making his actions more audacious and visible.

Rory Stewart [38:39]: "Corruption is a lot of different things, and Trump's doing almost all of them...using the Department of Justice to target your opponents."

c. Impact on American Politics and Democratic Institutions

Campbell and Stewart argue that Trump's actions undermine democratic institutions by prioritizing personal wealth over public duty. They highlight the erosion of trust in government, increased environmental damage, and the decline in public administration quality as direct consequences.

Rory Stewart [50:11]: "Now, tell me in which any other presidency we've said before Jimmy Carter, he got rid of his peanut farm, Hillary Clinton...This guy's doing it in plain sight..."

Alastair Campbell [51:31]: "They’re draining quite a lot of the goodwill currency...the government has drained their reputation for competence."

d. Notable Quotes

The discussion is punctuated with impactful quotes that underscore the severity of Trump's monetization of the presidency:

Rory Stewart [53:42]: "We've forgotten, I think, in a way, what the theory of corruption is. And corruption is a lot of different things, and Trump's doing almost all of them."

Alastair Campbell [52:59]: "Do you think people never cared, or do you think that Trump's people are just so dominant in the media eco space and absolutely prepared to take him at face value with anything he says..."

4. Conclusion and Insights

In wrapping up, Campbell and Stewart underscore the critical state of both UK and US politics. Starmer's Labour Party faces significant internal and external challenges that threaten its stability and public support. Simultaneously, Donald Trump's blatant commercialization of the presidency raises serious concerns about corruption and the integrity of democratic institutions in the United States.

Rory Stewart [54:06]: "And two other big stories that we're going to cover tomorrow are going to be the new candidate for the New York mayor, Mandani and what's been happening in Rwanda and Congo with a peace deal."

The episode concludes with reflections on the necessity of strong narratives in political leadership and the imperative to address systemic issues within political parties and governmental structures.

Key Takeaways

1. Keir Starmer's Labour Party:

   • Disappointment among the public despite initial goodwill.
   • Internal Rebellion linked to welfare reforms and perceived neglect of domestic issues.
   • Lack of Compelling Narrative hindering public engagement and trust.
   • Mixed Performance across key sectors with significant room for improvement.

2. Donald Trump and American Politics:

   • Monetization of Presidency through diverse business ventures.
   • Multiple Forms of Corruption openly conducted, undermining democratic norms.
   • Erosion of Trust in governmental institutions and increased public cynicism.
   • Need for Regulatory Oversight to curb conflicts of interest and maintain integrity.

3. Broader Political Implications:

   • Importance of narrative and leadership in shaping public perception and policy.
   • Necessity for internal cohesion and communication within political parties.
   • Urgency of structural reforms to address systemic failures in governance.

This comprehensive analysis by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart offers listeners an in-depth understanding of the current political climate in the UK and the United States, highlighting the challenges and potential paths forward for both leaders and their respective parties.