Had you told us, two years ago, that two men old enough to be anyone’s dads would be filling the O2 Arena with a live version of their podcast about politics, we would have thought you were crazier than Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget (lol, remember Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget?). But later this year that is exactly what is happening: in fact, Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell’s The Rest is Politics is going on a nationwide tour of not dissimilarly sized venues.
Now, no doubt partially because of the above, you cannot move for political podcasts. They’re everywhere: launching at a rate of about 2,000 a week, feeding off a never-ending Tory psychodrama more can’t-look-away compelling than anything Netflix could ever commission. Will they all survive when politics, come next year, is suddenly quite boring and everyday and Liz Truss isn’t releasing books to take the piss out of and it’s all people doing a reasonably competent job of a job that they also stay in for more than a couple of weeks? Unlikely. We are likely entering the end of this peculiar gold rush and so, with that in mind, let us enjoy these last few pre-election months… and then figure out which ones to keep following no matter what.
The Rest is Politics
The OGs and probably still the best. Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell have the kind of odd, unexpected chemistry that is difficult to fake, their friendship seeming genuine and the interplay just a lot of fun. Have stuck to their ‘disagree agreeably’ mantra apart from one discussion about Northern Ireland that descended into the sort of squabble that would have been weekly had the original plan of Campbell being paired with Dominic Cummings come to fruition.
Best bit: Stewart grilling Campbell at length and in detail about Iraq.
Most cringe moment: the aforementioned one-off argument.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 7
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 10
The News Agents
A different beast from many of the others here, in that it’s five days a week and more reactive and news bulletin-y. There’s no doubting the credentials of Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall, though it does feel a touch overcrowded at times: in the way that a sports team with three players who are all very, very good at the same thing might. Much too much giggling at Trump, but the angles and arguments they come up with are excellent and no interviewee is ever given an easy ride.
Best bit: Maitlis being told to f*** off by a Trump aide after asking about Jewish space lasers.
Most cringe moment: the never-ending ‘Sopes is on his hols’ bantz
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 9
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 8
Political Currency
A big name Tory and a big name Labour person convene to disagree agreeably. Hmmm… where did George Osborne and Ed Balls get that idea? Shameless bandwagon-jumping aside, the fact that they were chancellor/shadow chancellor at the same time adds an extra dimension. Real sense that these two are very much on texting terms with those still in power… and would not hesitate to share those texts.
Best bit: the specials looking back at the coalition talks.
Most cringe moment: we didn’t think Osborne could top his rapping of the opening line to ‘Straight Outta Compton’… until he sang the opening verse of Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 5
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 6
Oh God, What Now?
Formerly known as Remainiacs, the revolving cast here are — unashamedly and intentionally — as partisan as GB News, only at the other end of the spectrum. Not a pledge uttered by a Tory is allowed to pass without a withering ‘Yeah right, like that’ll happen’. Basically, it’s a safe space for those who think Brexit and Boris Johnson are the worst things to ever happen to humankind to endlessly rage about Brexit and Boris Johnson being the worst things to ever happen to humankind.
Best bit: just Alex Andreou. Sorry but… swoon.
Most cringe moment: the occasional sweary rants are not especially edifying.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 12
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: without another change of name, 5
Politics at Jack and Sam’s
For real politics junkies. It’s name gives the impression that these two experienced political reporters, Jack Blanchard (Politico) and Sam Coates (Sky), share some sort of news-geek frat house in which, rather than playing PlayStation and drinking beer, they watch PMQs and read the papers. Dropping late on Sunday, it’s become a particular must-listen among Westminster hacks and politicos who have spent most of their weekend in the pub.
Best bit: their predictive round-up of what’s to come in politics. So far, so spot on.
Most cringe moment: the Jeremy Hunt predictions. Spookily spot-on.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 8
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 1
Rock & Roll Politics
Hosted by veteran journalist/broadcaster/author Steve Richards, this one-man show has been going for aaaaaaages: so long that it dates to an era when putting ‘rock & roll’ in one’s name to try and convince people that it wouldn’t be just a forensic dissection of fiscal policy must have seemed like a necessity. The live shows may not hit the Beatlemania levels of adoration that Alastair and Rory do, but there’s a committed audience who will probably be turning up in 30 years’ time.
Best bit: the recent interview with Tom Baldwin about his Keir Starmer book was great.
Most cringe moment: the constant use of the phrase ‘if that’s okay with you’ feels quite pass-agg.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 4
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: what, you mean like back when he started?
Pod Save the UK
And speaking of names that aren’t as funny as the people who came up with them think… although in truth this is an offshoot of Pod Save America so not their fault. Also, both Nish Kumar and Coco Khan are decent company and the banter doesn’t actually make you want to tear your ears off, which is always nice. A good pairing who do seem to have a knack for the funny.
Best bit: the story about the Glasgow record shop that found a load of the Wonka exhibition stuff in a bin and then auctioned it off for charity was really quite feel-good: a rarity in news these days.
Most cringe moment: can get a bit Radio 1 Breakfast Show shouty at times.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 6
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 7
Electoral Dysfunction
With a name that is about 72 per cent as funny as they think — so still quite funny — the most recent launch here immediately benefited from that fact that, in contrast to about 72 per cent of all podcasts ever, it wasn’t hosted by some middle-aged white dudes. Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson make for an interesting trio… though it feels like they haven’t really found their groove as a team just yet. Very, very early days though.
Best bit: positing the ‘why hasn’t everyone thought of this?’ theory that it will be Priti rather than Suella or Penny who becomes the next Tory leader.
Most cringe moment: that ‘all my knobs are in order’ soundcheck gag was not an auspicious start.
Tofu-eating wokerati rating: 7
Chances of survival when politics gets boring: 6
