The Rest Is Politics – Episode 444: "Question Time: Can Labour Reinvent Itself?"

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Alastair Campbell (A) & Rory Stewart (B)

Overview

In this “Question Time” episode, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart tackle pressing questions from listeners about UK political developments and broader international issues. Central themes include Keir Starmer’s recent mini-reshuffle and Labour’s search for direction, threats to press freedom at the local level, the danger of Trumpian politics, the complexities of online safety regulation, the impact of AI on learning, and the decline in children's reading habits. The dialogue is rich with insider insight, personal anecdotes, and honest disagreement, all wrapped in the show’s signature mix of expertise and wit.

Key Discussion Points

1. Keir Starmer’s Mini-Reshuffle: Clarity or Chaos?

• (00:23–12:42)
  • The hosts debate whether Starmer’s recent “mini-reshuffle” amounts to real change or just political maneuvering.
  • Rory’s take: The communication around the reshuffle was vague, and the purpose of “Phase Two” is unclear.

    "At no point did I discover what Phase two was about... it seemed to be largely about the fact that he was reshuffling. But I didn't see reshuffling to do what?" (B, 01:09)

  • Alastair’s view: The appointment of Darren Jones as “Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister”—a new role—reflects Starmer’s effort to grip delivery, but the structure may sow confusion.
  • Discussion of government roles and how responsibilities overlap, referencing historical figures (Michael Barber, Jonathan Powell, Gavin Barwell) and the challenge of MPs taking demanding executive roles.
  • Concerns that strategy must be more coherent and originate clearly from the top, not just from reshuffles or additional advisors.

2. Economic Strategy and the Role of Advisors

• (05:49–12:42)
  • Introduction of Minouche Shafik as Chief Economics Adviser.
  • Is her role to drive economic radicalism or to be a steadying presence? Alastair notes the need for Number 10 to develop a distinct economic perspective, not just rely on the Treasury.
  • Reflection on Tony Blair-era processes—iterative, constant strategy discussions, usually culminating in a weekly directive.

    "The strategy at the top has to be driven from the top and understood by everybody." (A, 12:37)

  • Effective strategy comes from inclusive, ongoing debate—not sudden shakeups.

3. Rise of ‘Trumpism’ in Local UK Politics?

• (12:42–21:32)
  • A Nottinghamshire council, led by a Reform party leader, bans local journalists. Alastair and Rory agree this is a clear threat to local democracy and mirrors Trump-era media exclusion policies.
  • Alastair calls out the hypocrisy of Reform figures (notably Farage) who decry censorship but benefit from controlling narratives.

    "Richard Tice... is basically saying that they have the right to decide who they talk to, which of course is totally Trumpian." (A, 14:33)

  • Discussion about Farage’s media talents: clarity, relentless messaging, media charm—and his willingness to capitalize on, but not take full responsibility for, the consequences of his rhetoric.

    "He's very, very good Communicator... you know what he stands for." (A, 16:38) "He just doesn't stop. And for 30 years." (B, 18:45)

  • “Trumpian” not only in political style, but also in exploiting media, surviving scandals, and fostering toxicity in public debate.

4. Impact of Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Rightward Drift

• (21:47–25:00)
  • Alastair describes the rising intensity of racism and nativist sentiment in the UK, fueled by political figures and right-wing media.

    "We are back to a place where ... the P word is now being daubed on [businesses]." (A, 22:20)

  • Social media videos and chants reveal dangerous normalization of exclusionary rhetoric.
  • Cites the influence of Trump and Brexit as emboldening racist or exclusionary politics.

5. Contrasts in Political Leadership: Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre

• (25:00–27:28)
  • Rory and Alastair briefly praise Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre (from their recent "Leading" interview), holding him up as an example of thoughtful, principled leadership distinct from populist styles.

6. Online Safety Act: Balancing Protection and Freedom

• (27:28–29:49)
  • The new UK Online Safety Act, requiring strict measures from platforms—debate over whether this will protect children or stifle legitimate speech and privacy.
  • Rory compares with Singapore’s laws; concern that government power can easily drift toward censorship.
  • Alastair calls out Farage for opposing online safety yet profiting from unchecked online misinformation.

    "They rely on misinformation. They're licking their lips at the way that AI is going to change campaigning." (A, 29:08)

  • Brief mention of OnlyFans as a surprising UK economic success, raising questions about what it reflects of national priorities.

7. Journalism in Gaza: Media Blackout and Deadliest Period for Reporters

• (30:43–33:28)
  • Somber segment naming Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza, denouncing the deliberate targeting of reporters and the world's inability to document the conflict.

    "This has become now the deadliest period for journalists in contemporary history. More than 70% of journalists killed since October 2023 have been killed in Gaza." (B, 32:11)

  • The Rest Is Politics joins the Media Blackout campaign in solidarity with Reporters Without Borders and calls for unfettered press access in Gaza.

8. Is AI Making Us Dumber?

• (33:28–37:23)
  • Rory opens up about his personal anxieties as a parent and user of AI, referencing MIT studies which suggest AI use can impair our cognitive abilities.

    "If you subcontract all the work ... your cognitive ability is being impaired." (B, 34:31)

  • University educators struggle to distinguish between AI-generated and real student work, leading some to revert to pen-and-paper exams and stricter controls.
  • Discussion of how technology affects children’s curiosity and acquisition of critical skills.

9. The Decline of Children's Reading for Pleasure

• (37:23–44:18)
  • National Year of Reading prompts reflection: reading for pleasure is at record lows.
  • Alastair and Rory advocate for:
    • Giving children their own books (not just lending them).
    • Encouraging self-directed reading (not prescribed titles).
    • Making reading accessible with dyslexia-friendly books, audiobooks, and graphic novels.

    "Giving children books is a really good use of public money." (A, 38:21) "The real key... is to make sure that the books they first pick up are genuinely enjoyable and ones that they've chosen themselves." (B, 39:19)

  • Alastair’s personal shout-out to philanthropist Joe Hermani for donating books to children.

10. Book Recommendations and Cultural Reflections

• (42:07–44:18)
  • Hosts trade summer reading recommendations, from Bosnian novelist Meša Selimović and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s biography to detective fiction by Nick Harkaway.
  • The importance of growing up surrounded by books and the emotional pleasure of losing oneself in a story.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Starmer’s reshuffle:

  "Is it even a reshuffle? ... people normally associate reshuffles with Cabinet ministers being moved." (A, 01:21)

• On far-right drift in British politics:

  "What once looked as though there was a sort of respectable right wing ... is now becoming ... something much, much more troubling." (B, 24:39) "In this, don't underestimate the impact of Trump..." (A, 24:39)

• On combating illiteracy:

  "A publisher should get onto the government and say, look, why don't we find a way of giving books to children? Not books that they read and then leave in the school, but books that are their books." (A, 43:47)

• On Gaza journalism deaths:

  "A generation of accountability is being wiped out to make way for impunity." (A, 32:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:23–12:42] – Labour’s mini-reshuffle, internal government strategy, echoes of Blair era
• [12:42–21:32] – Reform, press bans, rise of US-style populism in local UK politics, Farage analysis
• [21:47–25:00] – The real-world impact of inflammatory rhetoric; Brexit and Trump influences
• [27:28–29:49] – Online Safety Act: promise and peril
• [30:43–33:28] – Gaza journalist deaths, Media Blackout campaign
• [33:28–37:23] – AI and cognitive impact, rise of AI cheating in education
• [37:23–44:18] – Reading for pleasure: policy, parental tips, book recommendations

Tone

• Candid, occasionally acerbic, but informed and measured.
• Blunt critique of political hypocrisy, especially in the context of media and populism.
• Passionate about education, reading, and the pursuit of honest public debate.

Useful For:
Anyone interested in present-day UK political intrigue, the ways in which media and political messaging shape the landscape, real-world effects of digital regulation, and the struggle for intellectual culture in the age of AI.