The Rest Is Politics – Episode 440: Question Time: How To Start A Centrist Party

Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart

Overview

In this lively "Question Time" episode, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart answer listener questions on the future of centrism in UK politics, the role and visibility of the Liberal Democrats, the comparative dangers of Farage vs. Corbyn, and current crises including prison education cuts and US political polarization. The hosts tackle wider international issues, correcting each other amiably while offering sharp critiques of leadership styles, media bias, and the prerequisites for a successful centrist movement in British politics.

The Liberal Democrats and the UK’s Centrist Void

Timestamps: 01:37–10:23

Key Points

• Listener Question: Why were the Lib Dems omitted from the discussion about centrist voting options?
• Media Blind Spots: Alastair acknowledges it as a "blind spot" and admits media and even political commentators discount the Lib Dems due to their lack of national coverage, comparing their coverage unfavorably with that of smaller parties like Reform UK.
• Local vs National Strategy: Rory criticizes the Lib Dems’ focus on local campaigns and photo stunts, which, while successful in securing seats, “end up with more seats than we've ever had, but... they're not part of the national debate.” (03:37)
• Leadership & Coverage: Campbell praises Ed Davey’s critical stances on issues like Trump and Europe, but bemoans the lack of national attention:

  “Maybe this is them paying a little bit of a price for the sort of politics that you objected to during the campaign. The media is now minded only to be interested in Ed Davy as a character.” (04:35)

• Need for Charisma: Stewart reflects on Nick Clegg's 2010 campaign success, suggesting “a charismatic communicator who's significantly articulate” could seize the centre ground, which remains unclaimed:

  “There is a huge space for somebody really who was charismatic and could communicate.” (08:43)

• Underused Parliamentary Presence: Lib Dems’ many MPs are barely visible:

  “I'd struggle to name most of the Lib Dems. Now that is... where I agree with you, they have to address that. They can't just blame the media.” (10:23)

Notable Quote

“I think in a serious, healthy media democracy there would be more coverage for the Lib Dems here.”
— Alastair Campbell (05:10)

Corbyn vs. Farage: Comparing Political Threats

Timestamps: 12:18–13:59

Key Points

• Listener Challenge: Why does Rory frame Corbyn and Farage as equally unacceptable?
• Rory’s Response: He differentiates between personal intentions and leadership capability, finding Corbyn “an extremely flawed person who would be a very, very deeply unfortunate Prime Minister” due to indecision, insecurity, and poor handling of antisemitism (12:18).
• Campbell’s Concurring View: Neither sees Corbyn or Farage as fit for office, but notes the idealism that draws some to Corbyn.

Notable Quote

“I have a romantic, idealistic enthusiasm for people like Corbyn... but if you ask me seriously, should this guy be running the country? Absolutely not.”
— Rory Stewart (12:53)

The Future of the Centre-Right and Tory Collapse

Timestamps: 13:59–14:41

Key Points

• Rory predicts Conservative Party collapse, and sees a massive opening for “retaking the centre right.”
• He criticizes Robert Jenrick's shift to the hard right, calling him “very, very opposed to his rhetoric... not the Conservative Party that I recognise.” (14:41)

Authoritarian Drift in US Politics

Timestamps: 16:12–22:41

Key Points

• Listener Question: Is federal takeover of DC policing a rehearsal for a contested election?
• Stewart’s “Current Obsession”: Trump shows a consistent authoritarian tendency, using state apparatus to protect his interests.
• Redistricting and Polarization: Both hosts discuss how partisan gerrymandering is “very, very bad for democracy, very bad for negotiation,” making Congress ever more polarized (19:43).
• Gavin Newsom’s Role: Campbell praises the California governor’s combative style, arguing that getting under Trump's skin is “not a bad thing.”

Notable Quotes

“One of the things that Trump has always been very good at doing is making you laugh about really dangerous points...”
— Alastair Campbell (18:23)

“This redistricting encourages polarization... and again, tends to favour extremists because the party members who vote in the primaries tend to be more extreme.”
— Rory Stewart (19:43)

Prison Education Cuts in the UK

Timestamps: 24:29–29:22

Key Points

• Disturbing Testimony: Rory reads a letter from a UK prison education head describing 36% cuts in six months:

  “...cuts of up to 40% at our prison. A 25% cut in October means that in six months, the provision has been cut by 36%. I see this as a surefire route to ruin the lives of more people in prisons and increase reoffending rates...” (24:39)

• Prison Conditions: Education is already “so, so poorly funded; so bad,” says Stewart.
• Rehabilitation at Risk: Campbell argues that continual emphasis on punishment ignores rehabilitation, leading to the “revolving door” of reoffending (26:40).

Somaliland Recognition

Timestamps: 29:22–30:50

Key Points

• Stewart explains Somaliland’s comparatively peaceful, democratic record and its ongoing campaign for international recognition.
• He notes Trump-style unpredictability could suddenly change international positions.

Listener Interactions and Light-hearted Moments

Timestamps: 31:04–35:21

• Swearing on Air: Campbell is chided by a listener for increased profanity; he apologizes and self-reflects.

• The Book Endorsement “Racket”: Both hosts discuss the frequent and often disingenuous blurbs printed on book covers.

  “The basic answer is the whole thing is a racket and a disgrace... You can't possibly read completely four or five additional books a week in addition to what you're trying to read for your own thing.”
  — Rory Stewart (32:33)

• Anecdote: Campbell recounts trying and failing to get Ian McEwen to endorse his first novel, landing Stephen Fry instead (34:00).

Memorable Quotes

• On the need for a centrist leader:

  “There is a huge space for retaking the centre right there. I'd just like to see [the Lib Dems] have the ambition and the energy to do that.”
  — Rory Stewart (13:59)

• On prison education:

  “If we're serious about rehabilitation, then we have to take it seriously. You cannot take it seriously if you're talking about cuts of this scale.”
  — Alastair Campbell (26:40)

• On US redistricting:

  “This redistricting encourages polarization... It's very, very bad for democracy, very bad for negotiation, and it's just accelerating in the US.”
  — Rory Stewart (19:43)

Conclusion

The episode features incisive critique of British party politics, the media’s distorting effect on political coverage, global threats to democracy, and the consequences of short-term thinking (prison cuts, political stunts). Both hosts agree that the centre ground is wide open if a credible, charismatic figure can seize it. Their commitment to “disagreeing agreeably” endures across robust debate.

Important Timestamps

• 01:37 – Lib Dem visibility and strategy
• 08:43 – The need for charismatic centrists
• 12:18 – Corbyn vs. Farage
• 14:41 – Conservative Party future and Robert Jenrick
• 16:12 – Trump, DC policing, and authoritarianism
• 19:43 – US redistricting and democratic decline
• 24:39 – UK prison education crisis

Original podcast tone preserved: Wry, sharp, and conversational, with a blend of inside knowledge and listener engagement.