524. Starmer’s Mandelson Mess and the Iranian Nuclear Threat

The Rest Is Politics

Goalhanger

News, Politics, Government

4.5 • 11.5K Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Did Starmer show a fatal lack of judgement and curiosity about Peter Mandelson’s suitability for public office? How and why did Trump destroy years of successful Iranian nuclear ‘containment’ policy? Four years into the Sudan war, what does the failure of peace efforts reveal about the unravelling of the world order? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. __________ Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restispolitics It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee ✅ __________ Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @restispolitics Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com __________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Josh Smith, Bruno Di Castri Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer General Manager: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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0:00.0	Thanks for listening to The Restis Politics. To support the podcast, listen without the adverts and get early access to episodes and live show tickets, go to therestispolitics.com. That's the rest is politics.com.
0:13.6	Appointing Peter Manelson in the first place was a massive lapse of judgment. Look, it's a mess. There's no getting out of it. This is a mess.
0:19.8	The reason why
0:20.8	Stama's finished is that this demonstrates above all that he lacks the two things that he
0:26.6	claimed to possess, which is judgment and seriousness. He's in this mess at this particular time
0:31.6	because he made a bad decision. At what point did Stama try to find out the truth? Did he actually care at all? This was one of the
0:39.7	biggest scandals at the heart of his government, something that almost brought him down. The minimal
0:44.6	expectation would have been a bit of curiosity. This episode is brought you by Fuse Energy.
0:52.5	Energy policy rarely stays in Westminster for long, usually arise for the bill. And from the 1st of April, 75% of renewables obligation costs will come off electricity bills and move into general taxation. So if bills are meant to fall from April, why would anyone bother switching?
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1:35.4	Listeners to the show will also receive a free Trip Plus subscription when they switch.
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1:52.5	terms and conditions. This episode is brought you by Vantaor and this is not your imagination.
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	...

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