Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
News & Politics
About
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 on Fridays or on BBC iPlayer. And you can listen on BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays at 17:30.
Episodes
- '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
Former Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh explains her reasons for resigning from Keir Starmer's government and discusses who should lead the Labour party. She also reflects on her time as a civil servant and her personal motivations.
- 'It's been a whirlwind': Zack Polanski on storytelling, Zionism and Zackonomics
Zack Polanski, the Green Party Leader, speaks with Nick Robinson about his rapid rise, his critique of Israel, and his economic ideas termed 'Zackonomics'. He also touches on his past as a hypnotherapist.
- From Sky boss to Number 10: Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith
Andrew Griffith, the Shadow Business Secretary, shares his views on why governments sometimes need to refuse requests. He also reflects on his experience working for Rupert Murdoch at Sky, describing him as "the best boss". Griffith previo…
- 'We cannot have chaos': Emily Thornberry on the law of war and Labour's struggles
Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks with Nick Robinson about international law, her father's UN peacekeeping career, Iran, Donald Trump, and Labour's strategy to address the Green Party's growth.
- 'This is Iran's Berlin Wall moment': Omid Djalili, comedian and actor
Omid Djalili, a British-Iranian comic, speaks with Nick Robinson about Iran's political situation, comparing it to a "Berlin Wall moment." He shares personal experiences about growing up in London's Iranian community, his thoughts on revol…
- '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 of social media and tech in…
- 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 ready? Who is he referring to wh…
- 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 does the playwright have for…
- 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 energy infrastructure. He talks…
- David Lammy: The old world order isn't coming back
What happens when US Vice President Vance goes drinking with Angela Rayner & David Lammy? The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary knows America better than probably anyone else around the cabinet table. And in this interview he ref…
- The union leader who agrees with the Tory leader: Daniel Kebede
The National Education Union's general secretary on banning social media, strikes and race Daniel Kebede says he is "completely aligned" with Kemi Badenoch on social media policy but warns that the Labour government is on a "collision cour…
- John Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops in Ukraine
What is the Scottish First Minister's secret for getting Donald Trump's attention? Nick is in Edinburgh to sit down with John Swinney, at the start of a year of big elections across the UK, including for the Scottish Parliament. He has bee…
- Jordan Bardella: The 30-year-old populist hoping to be France's next president
An exclusive interview on immigration, racism, Russia, Farage and Trump. Jordan Bardella is the leader of National Rally in France, and currently leading the polls to become president in 2027 if his mentor, Marine Le Pen fails to overturn…
- Kemi Badenoch: Shooting from the hip
Why did the leader of the opposition call the chancellor 'spineless' and 'shameless'? Kemi Badenoch joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on what lay behind the personal and political debates around Budget Day. How can she…
- Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me
Why is the Home Secretary warning against leaving space for "darker forces"? Shabana Mahmood sits down with Nick off the back of announcing sweeping changes to the asylum system in the UK. Why did she decide to quote explicit racial abuse…
- 'I'm preparing for government': Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth
Can Plaid Cymru replace Labour as the party of power in Wales next year? Rhun ap Iorwerth, the party's leader, thinks so. Rhun ap Iorwerth joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to talk about how his parents' passion for Welsh heritag…
- 'I like it when people underestimate me': Lib Dem leader Ed Davey
Ed Davey warns Starmer against handing Reform UK 'the keys into 10 Downing Street' Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills Editor: Giles Edwards
- Life after Labour: Zarah Sultana on Palestine, Farage and 'Your Party'
How a trip to the West Bank in her teens set the Coventry MP on a path into politics. Zarah Sultana joins Nick in the studio a few weeks before the launch of her new party with Jeremy Corbyn. In the interview, they discuss her positions on…
- Gaza, Trump and me: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher
Driving through Gaza is like "driving through the ruins of Hiroshima, or Stalingrad, or Dresden" Tom Fletcher has been the United Nations humanitarian chief for almost a year and speaks to Nick two weeks into his organisation's efforts to…
- Net Zero has become a religion: Claire Coutinho on climate, identity and cooking
The Shadow Energy Minister has transformed her party's approach to climate policy. In this extended conversation, Claire Coutinho sets out what changed her mind on net zero, a shift that has brought her into fierce debates with her opposit…
- 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 ti…
- 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 uni…
- 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…
- 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
- '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…
- 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…
- The Friedrich Merz One
The German Chancellor speaks candidly about Trump's attitude to Europe, war on the continent, and the future relationship Britain Producer: Daniel Kraemer Researcher: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards
- 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…
- 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 res…
- 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…
- 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,…
- 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 Ree…
- 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 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 b…
- 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
- 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 up Producer: Daniel Kraemer
- 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 cri…
- 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…
- 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. Suna…
- The Carla Denyer 2025 One
The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversation
- The Heidi Alexander One
The Transport Secretary on Corbyn, Ukraine and growing up in Swindon Producer: Lauren Tavriger
- The Charlie Taylor One
The Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on how he went from being a teacher at a school for kids with beahvioural problems, to being the leading voice on prison conditions. He tells stories of cheap suits, perspex windows, bei…
- The Zia Yusuf One
Who is the 38-year-old, Muslim, second-generation immigrant chairman of Reform UK? Zia Yusuf joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to tell his story, lay out his party's path to power, and share his thoughts on Boris Johnson, Elon Mu…
- The Chris Philp One
The Shadow Home Secretary joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on mistakes of the last government, humility in opposition and his anger at the new government. Chris Philp also opens up about the impact of caring for his p…
- The Kim Leadbeater One
The Labour MP sits down with Nick to reflect on how she went from selling beds in her Yorkshire hometown, to being at the forefront of political debate, as the face of the campaign to legalise assisted dying, and how the murder of her sist…
- The Rachel Reeves Chancellor One
The Chancellor reflects on her first six months in power and what lies behind her determination that she has "what it takes" to "turn things around". Producer: Daniel Kraemer
- The Nick Clegg One
Nick Robinson speaks to Sir Nick Clegg about life as Mark Zuckerberg's right hand man at Meta and the transition from Westminster to Silicon Valley. He responds to challenges on regulation of social media companies and issues a warning abo…
- The Husam Zomlot One
The Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK reflects on a childhood in a Gaza refugee camp and how hope is what keeps him going. Update: This episode has been edited to remove a brief exchange suggesting that an interim finding by the In…
- The Daisy Cooper One
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats reflects on her journey from campaigning as a child against nuclear weapons and scratchy jumpers, to being at the heart of the third-largest party in parliament. Producer: Daniel Kraemer