Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
- Episódios
- 331
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 13 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
Nick Robinson talks to people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs. Each episode of Political Thinking features an in-depth conversation with someone who is shaping our politics. The people who run our country (and those who want to), campaigners, business and union leaders, and people who run other countries.
All of them join Nick in the studio, not for a news-y interrogation, but for an extended and relaxed conversation, delving into their past and how it shaped their worldview. New episodes drop on Fridays on BBC Sounds. You can also watch them on BBC Two at 12:15 pm on Fridays or on BBC iPlayer. And you can listen on BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays at 17:30.
Episódios 331
'The tide has turned': Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand
How do 'middle powers' like Canada and the UK respond to a 'ruptured' world order?Canada's Foreign Minister joins Nick in the studio to discuss Trump's America, new relationships with Europe, and her family …
Notas do episódio
How do 'middle powers' like Canada and the UK respond to a 'ruptured' world order?
Canada's Foreign Minister joins Nick in the studio to discuss Trump's America, new relationships with Europe, and her family links to Mahatma Gandhi.
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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Fiona Fairmaner and Hal Haines
'People are scared to talk about Islamist extremism': Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy
Nick Timothy was called the 'most powerful man in Britain' when he was Theresa May's aide in Downing Street.He now sits in Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet, not only responsible for responding to Justice policies …
Notas do episódio
Nick Timothy was called the 'most powerful man in Britain' when he was Theresa May's aide in Downing Street.
He now sits in Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet, not only responsible for responding to Justice policies around prisons and probabtion, but tasked with looking into what he sees as an "existential threat" posed by Islamist extremism in the UK.
In this conversation, he answers the backlash over a controversial social media post, reminisces about being with Theresa May in Donald Trump's Oval Office, and talks about the impact that his working class Birmingham upbringing has had on his politics.
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Steve Walker and Andy Mills
Andy Haldane: Burnham's former adviser gives the Budget 4 out of 10
The President of the British Chambers of Commerce on his role as friend and critic of the new prime minister.Andy Haldane made his name as the "maverick" and "radical" Chief Economist at the Bank of …
Notas do episódio
The President of the British Chambers of Commerce on his role as friend and critic of the new prime minister.
Andy Haldane made his name as the "maverick" and "radical" Chief Economist at the Bank of England.
Many thought he'd be brought into Andy Burnham's Downing Street as an adviser, but he opted to stay on the outside.
He sits down with Nick the day after the Budget to reflect on some encouraging signs from the budget, but warns against pushing back the biggest decisions.
He also reflects on how his working class upbringing in Sunderland formed his economic approach.
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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Andy Mills
'We can't leave it to tech bros and oligarchs': AI minister Kanishka Narayan
From a childhood in India, to a new seat at Andy Burnham's cabinet table: what has shaped the man who is now tasked with shaping the UK's response to the world of AI?How did Kanishka Narayan go from sleeping on …
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From a childhood in India, to a new seat at Andy Burnham's cabinet table: what has shaped the man who is now tasked with shaping the UK's response to the world of AI?
How did Kanishka Narayan go from sleeping on the floor in his family's one-bed flat in Cardiff, to Eton and Silicon Valley?
Why does he think the UK can have an outsized voice on the world stage when it comes to global AI cooperation?
And is he scared, daunted or excited by something that he says "exceeds the industrial revolution"?
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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Steve Pontin and Hal Haines Editor: Jonathan Brunert
Suella Braverman: 'I'm not imposing my idea of Englishness on anyone else'
"I played it nicely in government. I should have been harder.'That is the reflection of the former Home Secretary, now Reform UK's education spokesperson, on her time at the top of government.Suella Braverman …
Notas do episódio
"I played it nicely in government. I should have been harder.'
That is the reflection of the former Home Secretary, now Reform UK's education spokesperson, on her time at the top of government.
Suella Braverman joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio, having sparked a row after saying "of course I'm not English" on Question Time.
She explains what she actually meant and why she thinks accusations of racism against her are 'dangerous'
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
Tom Watson: Don't bow to 'mob rule' on Palantir
The former deputy Labour leader has been criticised for joining the controversial tech firm, Palantir, as it tries to persuade ministers not to cut off a huge NHS contract.How did the man who railed against …
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The former deputy Labour leader has been criticised for joining the controversial tech firm, Palantir, as it tries to persuade ministers not to cut off a huge NHS contract.
How did the man who railed against Rupert Murdoch's media empire and Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook end up working for a Silicon Valley tech giant?
Tom Watson accepts he's at the centre of a 'media storm', partly due to the firm's work with the Israel Defence Forces, and faces questions over the efficacy of Palantir's NHS software.
He also reveals why he chose to stand down from the House of Commons before the start of the 2019 election campaign.
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
We're failing the next generation: Alan Milburn on getting young people into work
The man tasked with tackling youth worklessness joins Nick at the Labour conference in Liverpool.Alan Milburn has looked into the whites of the eyes of the prime minister and the chancellor, and believes they …
Notas do episódio
The man tasked with tackling youth worklessness joins Nick at the Labour conference in Liverpool.
Alan Milburn has looked into the whites of the eyes of the prime minister and the chancellor, and believes they are on board with his upcoming 'manifesto for change,' aimed at solving the 'NEETs' crisis: young people not in education, employment or training.
The veteran of the Blair cabinet is now one of the most powerful people behind the current government, and tells Nick how his own background inspired his passion for the subject.
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
'Can you not hear their rage?': Film-maker Paul Greengrass
The British director reflects today's political and social mood in his new film, The Uprising, about the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.Paul Greengrass tells Nick how the rage that led to the revolt in medieval …
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The British director reflects today's political and social mood in his new film, The Uprising, about the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
Paul Greengrass tells Nick how the rage that led to the revolt in medieval England is similar to what he sees in society and politics today.
He charts his journey from growing up in Gravesend, through documentary making for World in Action, to Hollywood stardom with the Jason Bourne films
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Andrew Mills and Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards
"Weakness is provocative": Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat on the UK's role in the world
Tom Tugendhat on Trump's diplomacy, the Afghanistan withdrawal and being sanctioned by ChinaDoes the Shadow Foreign Secretary think Trump's remarks on Ireland and the Falkland Islands are serious?Why does he …
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Tom Tugendhat on Trump's diplomacy, the Afghanistan withdrawal and being sanctioned by China
Does the Shadow Foreign Secretary think Trump's remarks on Ireland and the Falkland Islands are serious?
Why does he think China and Russia see the UK as 'not serious'
And which language is the best to have an argument in?
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: James McNaughton-Brown and Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards
Angela Rayner on her return to the top table: 'It’s good to give people a second chance'
The Housing Secretary joins Nick for the first episode of a new series of Political Thinking.Angela Rayner talks about the change of character, personality and politics in Downing Street under new …
Notas do episódio
The Housing Secretary joins Nick for the first episode of a new series of Political Thinking.
Angela Rayner talks about the change of character, personality and politics in Downing Street under new leadership.
She opens up about how it felt to "lose the confidence of the people" after being accused of not paying the tax she owed.
And she defends her decision to halt a huge local government reorganisation that had been started by her predecessor.
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Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills Editor: Giles Edwards
"It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her party
As the Burnham era dawns, the Leader of the Opposition on why it's time to transform her party, what would get her round the table with the new Prime Minister - and the people who believed in her when no one …
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As the Burnham era dawns, the Leader of the Opposition on why it's time to transform her party, what would get her round the table with the new Prime Minister - and the people who believed in her when no one else did.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
'Our donors are brave people': Reform's Robert Jenrick on wealth, power, and the establishment
As the country reels from the death of Reform's Ann Widdecombe, the party's Treasury Spokesman discusses the threat to politicians, debates whether calling politicians racists and traitors is dangerous, and …
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As the country reels from the death of Reform's Ann Widdecombe, the party's Treasury Spokesman discusses the threat to politicians, debates whether calling politicians racists and traitors is dangerous, and explains why the ‘cosy club’ of politics is in for a shock.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
We've got a plan: Louise Haigh on her journey back to power
The former Transport Secretary, sidelined by Keir Starmer, reveals she's been working with Burnham on a plan for government for at least a year, and has already seen the prospective Prime Minister make tough …
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The former Transport Secretary, sidelined by Keir Starmer, reveals she's been working with Burnham on a plan for government for at least a year, and has already seen the prospective Prime Minister make tough decisions. Also - bringing hope back to politics, navigating an exotic bird auction, and playing football in the House of Commons chamber.
Recorded in front of a live audience at the Crossed Wires Festival in her home town of Sheffield.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
The Treasury was in denial: John Healey on why he resigned as defence secretary
In his first interview since resigning from Keir Starmer's government, the former Defence Secretary John Healey talks about the threats we face, his hopes for a Burnham government, and why he thinks the …
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In his first interview since resigning from Keir Starmer's government, the former Defence Secretary John Healey talks about the threats we face, his hopes for a Burnham government, and why he thinks the Treasury is in denial.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
What went wrong for Starmer: Morgan McSweeney gives his side of the story
In his first ever interview, the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney lifts the lid on winning power, dealing with Trump, and how project Starmer fell apart.Producer: Hannah Wilkinson.
'A bad start even before he starts' - Welsh First Minister on why trouble's brewing with Burnham
The new First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth on what Wales really wants, why Reform surged in the Senedd election, and how working as a nightclub bouncer will help him deal with Andy Burnham.
From Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State great again
Former Tory adviser and candidate for California Governor Steve Hilton on the frustrations that drove his political journey and why he believes the Golden State can turn red.
'We need some daydreaming': lawyer Theodor Meron on surviving the Holocaust, and issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant
International lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust.This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications …
Notas do episódio
International lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust.
This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications note: https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
Why Starmer will survive: The Attorney General on human rights, small boats, and his ‘dogged’ friend the Prime Minister
The Attorney General Richard Hermer speaks to Nick about small boats, his most controversial cases, and why his old friend Keir Starmer can survive a leadership challenge.
“Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still matters
Chair of the equalities watchdog, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, on sex and gender, the right to protest, and doing one of the hardest jobs in Britain.
'What the hell are we doing?' Wes Streeting on his promise to young people, resigning from government, and wanting to be PM
Labour leadership contender and former health secretary Wes Streeting on what prompted his resignation, the challenges of being a working class politician, and his wealth tax plan.
Why the PM has to go: Miatta Fahnbulleh on being the first minister to break with Starmer
The former Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who was the first Minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government after the elections, discusses reaching breaking point, who should lead Labour now, and why …
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The former Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who was the first Minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government after the elections, discusses reaching breaking point, who should lead Labour now, and why she's terrified of where politics is going.
She also talks about her experience as a civil servant working with Conservative Ministers, and why her children are her toughest critics.
Senior Producer: Hannah Wilkinson Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Jack Wilfan Editor: Giles Edwards
'It's been a whirlwind': Zack Polanski on storytelling, Zionism and Zackonomics
Few people have done more to shape politics in recent months than the Green Party Leader in England and Wales, Zack Polanski. In his Political Thinking debut, he tells Nick Robinson about his 'whirlwind' …
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Few people have done more to shape politics in recent months than the Green Party Leader in England and Wales, Zack Polanski. In his Political Thinking debut, he tells Nick Robinson about his 'whirlwind' journey since becoming leader, saying that becoming PM is now 'in his mind' . He talks about his upbringing and Jewish identity and why he has now become a prominent critic of Israel. He explains his strong opposition to the war in Iran. He describes his plans to transform the capitalist model with a revolution based on 'Zackonomics'. And, asked about his earlier career as a hypnotherapist, he admits to 'cringing' when reminded that he once participated in a trial to help a woman increase her breast size.
Producers: Leela Padmanabhan and Flora Murray Editor: GIles Edwards
From Sky boss to Number 10: Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith
Andrew Griffith on why government sometimes has to say 'no' and why Rupert Murdoch was the "best boss".The Shadow Business Secretary was once the youngest Chief Financial Officer of any major British company …
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Andrew Griffith on why government sometimes has to say 'no' and why Rupert Murdoch was the "best boss".
The Shadow Business Secretary was once the youngest Chief Financial Officer of any major British company, when he worked at Sky, before becoming an MP an joining Boris Johnson's team in Downing Street.
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
'We cannot have chaos': Emily Thornberry on the law of war and Labour's struggles
The Foreign Affairs Committee Chair on Iran, Trump's 'asteroid of awfulness' and the 'grief' she felt after being dropped by Starmer.Emily Thornberry tells Nick about how her father's career as a UN peacekeeper …
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The Foreign Affairs Committee Chair on Iran, Trump's 'asteroid of awfulness' and the 'grief' she felt after being dropped by Starmer.
Emily Thornberry tells Nick about how her father's career as a UN peacekeeper helped shape her commitment to the ideals of international law.
She also has frank views about what her party needs to do to stem the rise of the Green Party.
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Jack Wilfan Editor: Giles Edwards
'This is Iran's Berlin Wall moment': Omid Djalili, comedian and actor
The British-Iranian comic on revolutions, Kensington, 9/11 jokes, King Charles and Iran's future.Omid Djalili has become one of the loudest voices in the Iranian diaspora calling for the overthrow of the regime …
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The British-Iranian comic on revolutions, Kensington, 9/11 jokes, King Charles and Iran's future.
Omid Djalili has become one of the loudest voices in the Iranian diaspora calling for the overthrow of the regime in Tehran, in favour of US military action.
While the world waits for Trump's next steps, Djalili talks to Nick about growing up in a hub of London's Iranian community, chasing history from Berlin to Czechoslovakia, deciding to perform in Saudi Arabia and turning down Game of Thrones
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora Murray Sound: Jack Wilfan Editor: Giles Edwards
'We're appeasing the tech bros': Beeban Kidron, from film-maker to lawmaker
What links Bridget Jones to social media regulation?The answer: Baroness Beeban Kidron. In 2004 she directed the Bridget Jones sequal. 20 years later, she became one of the most vocal campaigners for regulation …
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What links Bridget Jones to social media regulation?
The answer: Baroness Beeban Kidron. In 2004 she directed the Bridget Jones sequal. 20 years later, she became one of the most vocal campaigners for regulation of social media and tech in the UK.
She joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to tell her story, from joining Marxist dinner parties in her childhood home, to filming and living with the protesters of Greenham Common in the 1980s.
Today, she has strong words for Keir Starmer's government, and is pushing for law-changes from her seat in the House of Lords.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
Nigel Farage: 'Broken Britain', national identity and lessons from Trump
A frank conversation with the leader of Reform UK.Nigel Farage has put his party on a "general election war footing" and says he is preparing for power.What has his party still got to learn before they're …
Notas do episódio
A frank conversation with the leader of Reform UK.
Nigel Farage has put his party on a "general election war footing" and says he is preparing for power.
What has his party still got to learn before they're ready?
Who is he referring to when he talks about putting "our own people first"?
And what made him change his mind and return to politics?
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Ged Sudlow
This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications note: https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
How to tell England’s story: James Graham, playwright
James Graham joined Nick in the political thinking studio in late January, ahead of a this year's TV adaptation of his play Dear England.What did Gareth Southgate get right about national identity?What advice …
Notas do episódio
James Graham joined Nick in the political thinking studio in late January, ahead of a this year's TV adaptation of his play Dear England.
What did Gareth Southgate get right about national identity?
What advice does the playwright have for Keir Starmer on storytelling?
And why is it important that people continue to go to the theatre?
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Ged Sudlow and Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards
Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv: From boxing to politics
How did the world heavyweight champion end up running a city of 3 million people in wartime?Vitali Klitschko joins Nick from the Ukrainian capital in the midst of a Russian campaign to descimate the city's …
Notas do episódio
How did the world heavyweight champion end up running a city of 3 million people in wartime?
Vitali Klitschko joins Nick from the Ukrainian capital in the midst of a Russian campaign to descimate the city's energy infrastructure.
He talks about what peace could look like, the lessons he learned from living under Soviet rule as a child, and why he decided to abandon a lucrative life in the US to enter Ukrainian politics.
Senior producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Ged Sudlow Editor: Giles Edwards
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