DiscoverThe Rest Is Politics282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president
282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president

282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president

Update: 2024-07-0913
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Rory Stewart and Alice Campbell discuss the UK general election results, the new Labour government's early moves, and the future of the Conservative Party. They highlight the record-breaking defeat for the Conservatives and the record-breaking victory for Labour, as well as the record-breaking turnout. They discuss the appointment of James Timpson as the Minister for Prison's Probation and Parole, which they see as a positive move, and the appointment of Patrick Valance as a science minister. They also discuss Tony Blair's criticisms of the new Labour government, arguing that it needs to be bolder in its approach to issues like AI and identity cards. They then turn to the French parliamentary election results, discussing the surprising results and the implications for Macron's presidency. They note that Macron's alliance lost its majority, leading to a situation of ungovernability and chaos. They also discuss the election of a new president in Iran, Masoud Paseș Kianten, who is considered a reformist. They discuss the implications of his election for Iran's relationship with the US and Israel, as well as the country's nuclear enrichment program. They also discuss the role of Iran's proxies in the region and the challenges facing the new president.

Outlines

00:00:00
Introduction and Election Aftermath

This Chapter begins with the hosts introducing themselves and the podcast, followed by a discussion on the recent UK general election results. They highlight the record-breaking defeat for the Conservatives and the record-breaking victory for Labour, as well as the record-breaking turnout. They discuss the appointment of James Timpson as the Minister for Prison's Probation and Parole, which they see as a positive move, and the appointment of Patrick Valance as a science minister. They also discuss Tony Blair's criticisms of the new Labour government, arguing that it needs to be bolder in its approach to issues like AI and identity cards.

00:31:18
French Parliamentary Election Results

This Chapter focuses on the French parliamentary election results. The hosts discuss the surprising results and the implications for Macron's presidency. They note that Macron's alliance lost its majority, leading to a situation of ungovernability and chaos. They also discuss the potential for a coalition government and the challenges that Macron will face in governing.

00:43:54
Iran's New President

This Chapter delves into the election of a new president in Iran, Masoud Paseș Kianten, who is considered a reformist. The hosts discuss the implications of his election for Iran's relationship with the US and Israel, as well as the country's nuclear enrichment program. They also discuss the role of Iran's proxies in the region and the challenges facing the new president.

Keywords

UK General Election


The UK General Election is a national election held in the United Kingdom to elect members of the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament. The election is held every five years, unless the government is defeated in a vote of no confidence or the Prime Minister calls an early election. The election is conducted using a first-past-the-post system, in which the candidate who receives the most votes in each constituency is elected. The party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government.

Labour Party


The Labour Party is one of the two major political parties in the United Kingdom. It is a centre-left party that advocates for social justice, economic equality, and a strong welfare state. The Labour Party has been in government several times, most recently from 1997 to 2010. The party's current leader is Keir Starmer.

Conservative Party


The Conservative Party is one of the two major political parties in the United Kingdom. It is a centre-right party that advocates for free markets, limited government, and traditional values. The Conservative Party has been in government for much of the past century, most recently from 2010 to 2022. The party's current leader is Rishi Sunak.

French Parliamentary Election


The French Parliamentary Election is an election held in France to elect members of the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament. The election is held every five years, unless the government is defeated in a vote of no confidence or the President calls an early election. The election is conducted using a two-round system, in which the top two candidates in each constituency go through to a second round of voting. The candidate who receives the most votes in the second round is elected.

Emmanuel Macron


Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France. He is a centrist politician who advocates for economic reform and a strong European Union. Macron was elected President in 2017 and re-elected in 2022. He is the leader of the La République En Marche! party.

Marine Le Pen


Marine Le Pen is a French politician who is the leader of the National Rally party, a far-right party. Le Pen is known for her anti-immigration and anti-EU views. She has been a candidate for President of France several times, most recently in 2022, when she was defeated by Emmanuel Macron.

Iran


Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is the second-largest country in the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia. Iran has a rich history and culture, and is home to a diverse population. The country is a major producer of oil and gas, and is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iran is also a major player in the Middle East, and has been involved in conflicts in the region, including the Iran-Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War. Iran is a theocratic republic, with a Supreme Leader who is the highest authority in the country. The current Supreme Leader is Ali Khamenei.

Masoud Paseș Kianten


Masoud Paseș Kianten is the current President of Iran. He is a reformist politician who advocates for closer ties with the West and a more open economy. Kianten was elected President in 2023, defeating his hardline opponent. He is a member of the Islamic Republic's ruling elite, but is considered to be more moderate than some of his predecessors.

Q&A

  • What were the key takeaways from the UK general election results?

    The UK general election saw a record-breaking defeat for the Conservatives and a record-breaking victory for Labour. The turnout was also record-breaking, indicating a high level of engagement from voters.

  • What are some of the early moves made by the new Labour government?

    The new Labour government has appointed James Timpson as the Minister for Prison's Probation and Parole, which is seen as a positive move, and Patrick Valance as a science minister. They have also prioritized ethics, devolution, and a more collaborative approach to governing.

  • What are some of the challenges facing the new Labour government?

    The new Labour government faces challenges in areas such as NHS reform, planning reform, AI implementation, and building a strong relationship with Europe. They also need to address issues like the Thames Water crisis and the infected blood scandal.

  • What are the implications of the French parliamentary election results for Macron's presidency?

    Macron's alliance lost its majority in the French parliamentary election, leading to a situation of ungovernability and chaos. He will need to form a coalition government, which will be challenging given the ideological differences between the various parties.

  • What are the implications of the election of a new president in Iran for the country's relationship with the West?

    The election of Masoud Paseș Kianten, a reformist, as the new president of Iran could potentially lead to a more open and cooperative relationship with the West. However, he will need to navigate the complex political landscape in Iran and balance the interests of various factions.

Show Notes

What has Keir Starmer’s new cabinet promised so far? What’s next for France after voters mobilised to stop Marine Le Pen’s far-right party from gaining power? Who is Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian?


Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell for the latest episode of The Rest Is Politics, where they answer all these questions and more.


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Comments (1)

Antony

We know you know French Alastair. it's getting boring.

Jul 11th
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282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president

282. Starmer’s first week, Le Pen’s loss in France, and Iran’s new president

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