The Rest Is Politics — Episode 456 Summary
Title: Antisemitism, How the Tories Lost Britain, and Gaza
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart
Date: October 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart analyze the resurgence of antisemitism in the UK following the Manchester synagogue attack, delve into the latest developments in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and scrutinize the precipitous decline of the Conservative Party after decades of dominance in British politics. Drawing from personal experiences, recent events, and policy analysis, the hosts dissect the boundaries between criticism of Israeli government policy and antisemitism, debate government reactions to protests, and offer an insider’s perspective on the ongoing identity crisis within the Tory party.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Antisemitism and the Manchester Synagogue Attack

• [03:05] Rory Stewart opens by addressing the attack on a synagogue in Manchester by a British Syrian, emphasizing its role in exposing the reality of antisemitism in Britain.
• [03:40] Rory: Reflects on how anger at Israel's actions in Gaza is distinct from antisemitism:

  "I think that anti Semitism is very real... Jews and Muslims are almost unique... in finding themselves targeted and associated with what's done by other people."

• [05:40] Alastair Campbell: Discusses the historical context, referencing Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership and its handling of antisemitism.
• [06:48] Rory: Contrasts public reactions:

  "Just because they're Jewish, everybody wants to incessantly talk to them about Gaza in a way that if you're Russian, people are not."

• [07:08] Alastair: Responds to criticism that being critical of Israel is fueling antisemitism — he insists on the need to "differentiate between the two."

2. The Conflation of Antisemitism and Criticism of Israel

• [08:32] Rory: Explores how some in the Israeli government weaponize accusations of antisemitism to suppress critics, particularly relating to sanctions and recognition of Palestine.

  "The Israeli government have weaponized this allegation of antisemitism again and again in a very unjust way..."

• [09:41] Alastair: Notes the courage shown by victims' families and contrasts their reactions to right-wing media sensationalism.

3. Jewish Identity, Impact of Hamas, and Global Perspectives

• [11:09] Hosts reference their interview with David Baddiel and his book "Jews Don’t Count," focusing on the distinction between Jewish identity and Israeli politics.
• [12:49] Alastair: Shares that for many Jews, the trauma from the events of October 7th quickly receded from public debate.
• [13:13] Rory: Cites the rapid shift in public protests following the October 7th attack:

  "By kind of October 8th, there were massive anti-Israel demonstrations happening... can't you give us a couple of days before this gets going?"

4. Media Access and Narratives in Gaza

• [14:08] Rory: Critiques the Israeli government's refusal to let international journalists report independently from Gaza, arguing this fuels misinformation.

  "You cannot have anything worse than what you've currently got by not letting the journalists in... at least take the risk."

• [15:55] Alastair: Explains how restricted media coverage creates a "shutdown and the sense of relentless propaganda," noting the damage this does to Israel's global standing.

5. The Gaza Peace Plan and Political Maneuvering

• [18:47] Rory: Highlights major flaws in the 20-point plan, noting Palestinians were excluded from negotiations and that the plan demands total Hamas surrender.

  "Would be like a Ukraine peace deal negotiated between Trump and Putin... this was negotiated between Trump and Netanyahu."

• [21:46] Alastair: Observes Trump's frustration with Netanyahu's reluctance to fully embrace the plan, implying Trump is motivated by hopes for a Nobel Peace Prize.

  "If I'm going to get this peace prize, I've got to stop this fighting now."

• [23:54] The hosts debate whether awarding Trump the Nobel now would encourage further engagement or cause him to lose interest.

6. Protests, Legislation, and Free Speech

• [25:51] Alastair: Raises concerns about the UK government's response to Palestine Action protests, noting thousands of arrests after the group was labeled a terrorist organization.
• [26:44] Rory: Warns against heavy-handed policing:

  "You end up arresting thousands of pensioners... we need prison places for murderers, burglars, violent criminals. Not elderly professors, even if poorly informed about Hamas."

• [28:57] Alastair: Emphasizes the broader risks of legislation curtailing protest rights:

  "Usually legislating to respond to something in the moment is... you should be a little bit wary."

7. Far-Right Alliances and Community Pushback

• [28:57] Rory: Notes the Israeli Minister for the Diaspora’s invitation to far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and lauds British Jewish organizations for condemning it.

  "The board of Deputies, British Jews and the Jewish Council… have actually come up very strongly saying... Tommy Robinson is a very dangerous character."

8. The Conservative Party: Decline and Divisions

• [34:27] Alastair: Shifts focus to Robert Jenrick and the Tory party conference, highlighting the party’s breathtaking decline in membership and influence.
• [36:06] Rory: Reminisces on Conservative grassroots organization vs. current reality (almost 3 million members in the 1950s vs. under 100,000 today).
• [36:56] Rory: Breaks down the party’s post-2019 collapse — significant losses to Reform, split between rebuilding the "Cameron coalition" vs. chasing populist support.
• [39:30] Alastair: Criticizes current Tory strategies: out of touch on immigration, climate, and judge appointments; and accuses the party of purging moderates, hollowing out its serious policy core.

9. The Populist Shift and Prognosis

• [42:59] Rory: Outlines the structural danger of internal “loyalty tests” (e.g., hard Brexit, ECHR exit), which ratchet the party ever rightward and lock moderates out.
• [44:00] Alastair: Discusses how former Conservative voters are drifting to other parties, while Tory candidates despair at losing ground to Reform.
• [47:45] Alastair & Rory: Weigh Conservative electoral strategies—should they chase lost 2019 voters or double down on an aging loyalist base?
• [51:12] Alastair: Cites Dominic Grieve's warning that quitting the ECHR would undermine UK security cooperation and breach the Good Friday Agreement.
• [52:16] Rory: Makes a moral argument for Conservative values—institutional restraint, rule of law, and upholding human rights as the foundation of postwar peace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism:
  “[Antisemitism is] weaponized... again and again in a very unjust way and have used it against people who are not anti-Semitic.” — Rory Stewart [08:32]

• On October 7th’s legacy:
  “It really shocked him how quickly the actual events on the day of October 7th receded from public debate.” — Alastair Campbell [12:49]

• On exclusion from peace talks:
  “Palestinians were not involved in negotiating this plan. So it would be like a Ukraine peace deal negotiated between Trump and Putin.” — Rory Stewart [18:47]

• On UK protest laws:
  “You end up arresting thousands of pensioners... we need those prison places for murderers, burglars, violent criminals. We do not need them for elderly professors, even if they are poorly informed about Hamas.” — Rory Stewart [26:44]

• On internal party purges:
  “What Johnson did was throw out people like you...These are serious people who would be able to fight and win some of these arguments.” — Alastair Campbell [41:54]

• On moral purpose of the Conservatives:
  “If we are anything, we were and should be the party that believes in tradition, constitution, prudence at home, restraint abroad, good fiscal management and upholds the rule of law.” — Rory Stewart [50:02]

Timestamps by Topic

• [03:05–13:13] Antisemitism, Manchester synagogue attack, Jewish and Muslim identity in relation to international conflict
• [13:40–18:47] Gaza conflict media access, international narratives, and propaganda
• [18:47–25:41] Gaza peace plan, Trump-Netanyahu dynamic, and Nobel Peace Prize speculation
• [25:51–30:32] Palestine Action protests, UK legislation, and free speech concerns
• [28:57–30:32] Far-right, Tommy Robinson’s Israel invitation, and Jewish community reaction
• [34:27–44:00] Conservative Party’s history, decline, factions, and responses to defeat
• [44:00–51:12] Policy positions (ECHR, climate), party’s future, and the challenge of reconstructing a center-right coalition
• [51:12–54:44] UK’s global standing, risk to rule of law, and the international context

Tone & Style

The episode features frank, informed conversation, marked by personal anecdotes, policy expertise, and mutual respect—even in disagreement. Campbell’s direct, combative style contrasts with Stewart’s more analytical tone, but both show commitment to upholding open debate and confronting extremism—on the left, right, or abroad.

Conclusion

Campbell and Stewart deliver an incisive examination of antisemitism, geopolitical developments in the Middle East, and the existential crisis plaguing the Conservative Party. Their analysis underlines the complexity of political identity, the dangers of populism, and the ethical responsibilities of both politicians and citizens in an era of polarization and misinformation. For listeners seeking clarity on contemporary British and global affairs, this episode is essential, engaging, and unflinchingly honest.