The Rest Is Politics – Episode 459: Question Time
Title: Reform's Potential Upside, Why Bad News Sells & Reasons To Stay Hopeful
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart
Date: 15 October 2025
Type: Q&A – Questions from listeners on current UK and global affairs, focusing on reasons for hope amidst political and media negativity.
Episode Overview
This episode is a deliberate effort by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to highlight positive news and perspectives within British and global politics. Inspired by listener feedback urging a shift away from negativity, the hosts explore reasons for optimism: green energy growth, wildlife recovery, admirable political leadership, the upside to political disruption, and good news about public institutions like the NHS and education. The conversation is both reflective and lively, with thoughtful disagreement and personal anecdotes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Does Bad News Dominate the Media?
(02:25 – 07:42)
- Rory analyses several factors:
- Human psychology: "Humans tend to overemphasize the negative and downplay the positive... maybe that's something to do with early human evolution." (02:57 – Rory Stewart)
- Journalistic responsibility: To hold the powerful accountable, negative stories are prioritized.
- Audience habits & commercial drivers: Negative headlines get more traffic, fueling an "ecosystem" of negativity.
- Alastair references a study:
- In the 1970s, the British media was "three positive to one negative," but by the 2000s it was "one positive to eighteen negative." (05:21 – Alastair Campbell)
- The decline of local papers, which remain more positive, versus national press.
Notable Quote
"There is an interesting PhD thesis somewhere in all that."
— Alastair Campbell (04:52)
2. Spotlight on Good News: Renewable Energy & the Green Transition
(07:42 – 09:54)
- Renewables now outstrip coal for global electricity production.
- The price of solar has fallen "99% since 1975."
- China, India, and Pakistan are leading in green energy innovation due to "market forces."
- Royal engagement with the environment: King Charles and Prince William’s involvement at the Natural History Museum.
Memorable Moment
"The cost of solar is now reduced by 99% since 1975."
— Alastair Campbell (08:14)"Growth in solar and wind met 100% of all extra electricity demand in the period that was covered by this survey."
— Alastair Campbell (08:45)
3. Conservation Success – Green Turtles
(10:18 – 11:38)
- Green turtle populations, once in sharp decline in the 1970s, have made a comeback due to decades of targeted conservation, law changes, and local and global action.
- "Green turtles are now absolutely flourishing... it really should cheer you up."
— Rory Stewart (10:18)
4. Global Politics: Who Inspires Hope?
(11:44 – 13:58)
- Alastair: Highlights Australia’s McKinnon Leadership Awards for politicians showing positive, bipartisan leadership — "Australia does... have a lot going for it." (13:26)
- Cites Peter Malinowskis (Premier of South Australia), Julian Lisa (Liberal) & Josh Burns (Labour) for cross-party work against antisemitism.
- Rory: Adds inspiring politicians from their interviews — President of Georgia, Richie Torres (USA), Seth Moulton, and mentions British figures like David Blunkett and Ben Wallace.
5. Reform Party: Could Its Rise Lead to Positive Change?
(14:31 – 18:30)
- Listener asks if Reform’s growth could push the UK toward proportional representation (PR) and a more cooperative political climate.
- Rory: Sees possibility — but only if cross-party coalitions seriously drive electoral reform.
- Alastair: Notes current system's “tipping points” can distort representation, possibly fuelling demand for PR.
- Both discuss the complexities of changing electoral systems and the potential end benefits for UK democracy.
Notable Quote
"We are very binary... there are advantages and disadvantages to first past, supposed to, and PR. ...But we accept that there are some things that you'll lose along the way."
— Rory Stewart (18:30)
6. The Nobel Peace Prize & Venezuela’s Democratic Heroine – Maria Corina Machado
(23:24 – 25:30)
- Listeners celebrate Nobel winner Machado; Alastair recounts her courage against Venezuela’s dictator Maduro.
- Maria Corina Machado is lauded as a centrist, liberal reformer — “not going down the kind of Bukele, authoritarian route... trying to stand for liberal values.” (24:34 – Rory Stewart)
- Uncertainty if she can attend the Nobel ceremony due to safety concerns.
7. Reasons for Hope: UK Public Service – NHS & Education
(28:00 – 34:27)
- NHS: Both hosts recount recent personal, positive experiences. Alastair humorously relates his anxiety about a dental procedure, then praises exceptional care received.
- Education: Rory highlights inspirational teachers; mentions his son wanting to become a teacher. Alastair visits Haggerston School in Hackney, notes students' engagement with politics.
Memorable Moment
"The main doctor, dentist... was a woman called Deepti Sinha. She was absolutely brilliant. She appointed a full time hand holder because I think she said she had a complete wimp on her hands."
— Alastair Campbell (28:42)
- The positive impact of educational partnerships between state and private sectors, and recognition of outstanding state school leadership.
8. International Good News: Direct Cash Transfers in Africa
(35:07 – 36:32)
- Rory discusses a breakthrough study: unconditional cash payments to mothers in Kenya halved infant mortality—"the most staggering thing is what it's done on infant mortality. Far better than any other intervention." (35:07)
9. If You Could Pass One Law?
(36:35 – 41:17)
- Listener Kim Leadbeater (MP) asks: If you were drawn for a Private Member's Bill, what would you introduce?
- Rory: A law making government adherence to parliamentary legislation enforceable; uses the 0.7% foreign aid as an example.
- Alastair: Legislation to limit children's access to social media, inspired by Australian initiatives.
10. The Power of Positive Thinking
(41:17 – 43:18)
- Rory references scientific studies showing that having a sense of purpose and gratitude “actually has an incredible impact on your health.”
- Daily gratitude practice is recommended for listeners to boost well-being and shape a more hopeful outlook.
Notable Quote
"If we all manage to be a little bit more grateful, a little bit more positive, it's remarkable what that would actually mean for our lives."
— Rory Stewart (42:29)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Negative stories, driven by human psychology, theories of political accountability, editors, advertising revenue and certain kinds of narrative structures." (Rory Stewart, 03:26)
- "COP is now a massive opportunity because the truth is Trump is driving the climate agenda backwards." (Alastair Campbell, 09:01)
- "Green turtles are now absolutely flourishing... it's actually a story when we tend to think the whole world's going the hell handbasket." (Rory Stewart, 10:18)
- "Ed Cullinan: We Saved the turtles. Please discuss." (Listener question, 10:18)
- "Even Tories can come on here and be treated with respect and welcomed in our new positive mode." (Alastair Campbell, 14:31)
- "In the 1970s... 3 positive to 1 negative. By 2000 and something it was 1 positive to 18 negative." (Alastair Campbell, 05:21)
- "In a world where there's so much less money for international development... [direct cash transfers] halve infant mortality in Kenya." (Rory Stewart, 35:07)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-----------|:-------------| | 02:25 | Bad news bias in media & human psychology | | 07:42 | Good news: renewable energy's global progress | | 10:18 | Green turtle conservation success | | 11:44 | Political leaders offering hope | | 14:31 | Reform Party & electoral system change | | 23:24 | Nobel Peace Prize: Maria Corina Machado | | 28:00 | NHS: stories of positive care | | 31:29 | Education: teachers and schools making a difference | | 35:07 | Cash transfers' impact on child mortality in Kenya | | 36:35 | Listener challenge: pass one Private Member's Bill | | 41:17 | Science of positive thinking and gratitude |
Tone and Atmosphere
The episode is intentionally optimistic yet realistic. Both hosts stay true to their engaging, sometimes bantering style, blending substance, disagreement, personal anecdotes, and moments of humor. They acknowledge challenges while elevating examples of progress and hope, in direct response to audience appeals for more positivity in political analysis.
Final Takeaways
- Despite the pervasiveness of negative news, there are substantial reasons for hope: progress in green energy, conservation, positive political leadership, NHS and education success stories, scientific breakthroughs, and the impact of grassroots interventions.
- The episode encourages listeners to notice progress, hold leaders accountable not just for failures but for successes, and actively practice gratitude—both personally and in how politics and society are discussed.