Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
byBBC Radio 4
NewsPolitics
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 12:15pm...
Episodes(40 episodes)
Free Speech Tsar: Arif Ahmed on how to avoid the 'abyss' of political violence
How do you protect and police freedom of speech on campus and in society?Arif Ahmed is a Cambridge Philosopher who is now responsible for enforcing new freedom of speech rules on universities, colleges and students.He took office at a time when there is particular focus on a vexed question: where the boundary should lie between free speech - which should be protected - and speech that threatens, intimidates and leaves people feeling unsafe, which can and should be restricted.He talks to Nick about why he ended up so passionate about...
Published: Oct 10, 2025Duration: 44m 57s
Bridget Phillipson on life as education secretary
One of the two candidates to be deputy leader of Labour joins Nick at the end of party's conference in Liverpool.Bridget Phillipson opens up about how her own experience of poverty informs her political views on childcare, schools and universities. She also reveals her DJ set-listProducer: Daniel Kraemer
Research: Chloe Desave
Editor: Giles Edwards
Published: Oct 2, 2025Duration: 43m 47s
Preparing Farage for Power: Danny Kruger on defecting to Reform UK
Danny Kruger had been at the heart of the Conservative Party since it was led by David Cameron, until he decided that party was "over".He is now a Reform UK MP and has been tasked with preparing the party for government. He sits down with Nick to explain why we need a "revival" of Christian conservatism.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Reserach: Chloe Desave
Sound: Ged Sudlow and Hal Haines
Editor: Giles Edwards
Published: Sep 26, 2025Duration: 43m 29s
Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values
Lucy Powell on why and how she was sacked by Keir Starmer, and why she now wants to be his Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Editor: Giles Edwards
Published: Sep 17, 2025Duration: 42m 22s
'Build Baby Build': The new housing secretary, Steve Reed
Steve Reed was given the job of Housing Secretary as the result of crisis, after the resignation of his close friend Angela Rayner.But he has been part of the inner circle preparing Keir Starmer's rise to power from the beginning, having recruited the man who ended up as the prime minister's Chief of Staff.In this interview, he gives Nick a behind-the-scenes account of coming to power and the "whirlwind" of an emergency reshuffle.They also discuss how to reconnect with the voters, putting up flags and who he'll have to fight...
Published: Sep 12, 2025Duration: 36m 55s
China, Russia and us: Tony Radakin on four years as Chief of the Defence Staff
An exclusive exit interview with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin on the week he steps down as the UK's military chief.Radakin's time as head of the armed forces was dominated by responding to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.As he leaves, he is adamant that the UK is "safe" and that the war has been a "disaster" for Putin.He also talks about the recent show of military strength in China and what it was like serving four UK prime ministers.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Researcher: Lauren Tavriger
Studio Manager: Gareth Jones
...
Published: Sep 5, 2025Duration: 49m 53s
The Friedrich Merz One
The German Chancellor speaks candidly about Trump's attitude to Europe, war on the continent, and the future relationship BritainProducer: Daniel Kraemer
Researcher: Chloe Desave
Editor: Giles Edwards
Published: Jul 18, 2025Duration: 34m 3s
The Josh Babarinde One
The Lib Dem Justice Spokesperson managed to persuade ministers to change domestic abuse law within a year of being elected to parliament. Josh Babarinde tells Nick how his own childhood experience spurred him on to push for reform. He also explains how a beer mat persuaded him to join the Liberal Democrats.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Published: Jul 11, 2025Duration: 33m 33s
The Keir Starmer Prime Minister One
After some of the most tumultuous days of his premiership, Keir Starmer sits down with Nick in Downing Street, to reflect on a year in power. In a wide-ranging interview, the prime minister defends his style of leadership, while taking responsibility for the setbacks.He also opens up about losing his brother last year and his personal relationship with President TrumpProducers: Daniel Kraemer, Leela Padmanabhan and Chloe Desave
Published: Jul 4, 2025Duration: 46m 31s
Trump's America: The Scott Perry One
A Republican Congressman outlines the values that lie behind his conservative politics.Scott Perry is the Representative for Pennsylvania's 10th District, a Trump ally, an Iran hawk who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and a veteran, who flew combat missions in Iraq before turning his attention to politics.He joins Nick down the line from Washington DC, in the aftermath of his President's decision to drop bombs on Iran. Perry tells the story of how he went from growing up in a household with no electricity or running water, to being elected...
Published: Jun 27, 2025Duration: 31m 27s
The Douglas Alexander One
The Trade Minister explains how a penalty shootout played a role in his government appointment.Douglas Alexander has the same job that he had 20 years ago in Tony Blair's government. He reflects on how the world has changed in that time, and his motivation for returning to politics after a humiliating defeat in 2015.
Published: Jun 20, 2025Duration: 43m 9s
The Mel Stride One
The Shadow Chancellor sets out his vision for a more "thoughtful" politics and faces up to the challenge of winning the argument before the next general election.Sir Mel Stride reveals what he admires about his opposite number, Rachel Reeves, and why a world war two commander is one of his political heroes.He also has a warning about what the British economy would look like under Nigel Farage. Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Published: Jun 13, 2025Duration: 37m 41s
The Jacinda Ardern One
How does it feel to be held up as the 'anti-Trump' by progressives across the globe?Jacinda Ardern was prime minister of New Zealand for 6 years and is now committed to promoting empathy and kindness in world leadership. She joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on her unexpected rise to power and being described as a 'global pinup for progressive values'.She also opens up about how growing up in a Mormon family prepared her for politics and reveals what she told Donald Trump in the aftermath of the murder...
Published: Jun 3, 2025Duration: 33m 32s
The Tanni Grey-Thompson One
After 15 years as a member of the House of Lords, Tanni Grey-Thompson reflects on how a career at the top of sport prepared her for the world of politics.The crossbench peer speaks to Nick about what she sees as a dangerous relationship between benefit reforms and legalising assisted dying.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Published: May 30, 2025Duration: 40m 50s
The Eluned Morgan One
The First Minister of Wales sets a marker to the left of Keir Starmer, setting out her vision of a "Red Welsh Way", drawing inspiration from Gavin and Stacey.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Published: May 23, 2025Duration: 45m 54s
The Richard Tice One
Reform UK’s deputy leader reflects on a year of political success, a privileged upbringing and the cabinet job he’s eyeing upProducer: Daniel Kraemer
Published: May 16, 2025Duration: 38m 17s
The Joe Biden One
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, former president Joe Biden sits down with Nick Robinson for an exclusive interview, his first since leaving the White House.He issues a stark warning about the future of the western alliance and criticises his successor’s approach to foreign policy.In this extended interview, Biden also reflects on his decision to drop out of the 2024 election and the state of democracy in the US.Producers: Kirsty MacKenzie, Daniel Kraemer and Daniel Macadam
Editor: Giles Edwards
Published: May 7, 2025Duration: 29m 41s
Bonus: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One - Part 2
In the second, bonus instalment of this exclusive interview with the former prime minister, Rishi Sunak opens up about his time as Chancellor and Prime Minister, including how his relationship with Boris Johnson fell apart, why he regrets his "Stop the Boats" slogan and what comes next for someone who has become an elder statesman, aged 44.Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Joel Massey
Published: Mar 5, 2025Duration: 1h 1m 28s
The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One
An exclsuive in-depth interview with the Rishi Sunak. In this first instalment, the former prime minister tells stories from behind the scenes on the world stage explains why he thinks we must now cut welfare spending to fund defence.Sunak reflects on how a sense of duty - inspired by his Hindu faith - helped drive his political career, and reflects on how and why he ultimately led the Conservative Party to the worst electoral defeat in its history.Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Joel Massey
Published: Mar 5, 2025Duration: 58m 32s
The Carla Denyer 2025 One
The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversation
Published: Feb 28, 2025Duration: 33m 15s