428. Rory vs. Alastair: Are we spending too much on defence?

  • Podcast

  • 15 July 2025

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 1

Is Starmer falling into Trump's defence spending trap? What's the bigger threat to the European democracies: Putin or populism? Why has a Labour-affiliated union suspended Angela Rayner, a trade unionist Deputy PM?


Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.


The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord.


The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away FREE TRIP+ membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups ? TRIP+ gets you ad-free listening, discounts, and early access to episodes and pre-sale tickets for live shows! To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit GetFuse.com/Politics


Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅


For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com


Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @restispolitics

Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com


Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith

Assistant Producer: Evan Green, India Dunkley

Producer: Nicole Maslen, Fiona Douglas

Senior Producer: Dom Johnson

Head of Content: Tom Whiter

Exec Producers: Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One response to “428. Rory vs. Alastair: Are we spending too much on defence?”

  1. Speaking to a friend today who works for a company supplying equipment to BAE in Sheffield. Taking a crane (today, 15th), arrived at site and couldn’t fit the crane through the gates. Had to cut them off, which he did for them as incompetent security had no idea what to do. Was then told he couldn’t see the crane in place (despite having all necessary pads to spread weight etc)… so left. Will have cost BAE about £30K. A site manager said its fine, they’ll get it back Monday… only the crane will be on its way up to Scotland for 16 weeks then. Friend said everyone on site he spoke with seems completely incapable of answering any questions or assisting to remove blockers or help get the work on site done. Crane required for moving in equipment into the favtory over the coming days…

    Is this the incompetency we’re paying for with increased funding? Nato innovation fund going for smaller companies seems the smarter option.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)

How does the former US Special Representative for Iran think US-Iranian relations will improve? Is there a method to Trump’s madness when it comes to foreign policy? Why does Robert believe the “t... Continue

16 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

501. Is Starmer Too Soft on Trump? Inside the Munich Security Conference

Why did Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'love bomb' Europe at the Munich Security Conference, and how did it compare to JD Vance's infamous 'enemy within' speech this time last year? Is Europe ... Continue

16 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

The Battle for the Arctic

One of the most important political issues of our time - the battle for the Arctic. Why is Russia so dominant there? Why does Trump really want Greenland? And why is Climate Change right at the heart ... Continue

13 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

500. Japan, China, and the Fight for Taiwan (Question Time)

Are Japan and China closer to conflict over Taiwan, after the landslide victory for Japan's 'Iron Lady', Sanae Takayichi? Does Trump’s crumbling American-Hispanic vote explain his extreme reaction t... Continue

12 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

499. Is It Game Over for Starmer?

As Starmer begins to lose his key aides and allies, is his departure from Number 10 now a matter of when, not if? Is the UK actually becoming ungovernable? Will the latest revelations about the level ... Continue

9 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies? Rory and Alastair are... Continue

9 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil

How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do... Continue

8 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger

174. Taking On Europe’s Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin

How did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya go from being a housewife to leading a Belarussian government in exile? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko become the last dictator in Europe? Why was Segei, Sviatlana’s h... Continue

6 February 2026

Post

Posted by Goalhanger