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Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

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.
- 333 - 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 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
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 - 332 - '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 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
Fri, 23 Oct 2026 - 331 - 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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 - 330 - 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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 09 Oct 2026 - 329 - 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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards
Wed, 30 Sep 2026 - 328 - '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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Andrew Mills and Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 327 - "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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: James McNaughton-Brown and Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 18 Sep 2026 - 326 - 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 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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Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 11 Sep 2026 - 325 - "It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her partyThu, 23 Jul 2026
- 324 - 'Our donors are brave people': Reform's Robert Jenrick on wealth, power, and the establishmentFri, 17 Jul 2026
- 323 - 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 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
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 322 - The Treasury was in denial: John Healey on why he resigned as defence secretaryMon, 06 Jul 2026
- 321 - What went wrong for Starmer: Morgan McSweeney gives his side of the storyThu, 02 Jul 2026
- 320 - 'A bad start even before he starts' - Welsh First Minister on why trouble's brewing with BurnhamFri, 26 Jun 2026
- 319 - From Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State great againFri, 19 Jun 2026
- 318 - '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 note: https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 - 317 - Why Starmer will survive: The Attorney General on human rights, small boats, and his ‘dogged’ friend the Prime MinisterFri, 05 Jun 2026
- 316 - “Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still mattersFri, 29 May 2026
- 315 - 'What the hell are we doing?' Wes Streeting on his promise to young people, resigning from government, and wanting to be PMThu, 21 May 2026
- 314 - 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 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
Fri, 15 May 2026 - 313 - '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' 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
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 - 312 - 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, 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
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 - 311 - '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 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
Fri, 06 Mar 2026 - 310 - '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 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
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 - 309 - '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 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
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 - 308 - 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 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
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 - 307 - 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 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
Fri, 06 Feb 2026 - 306 - 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 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
Fri, 30 Jan 2026 - 304 - 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 reflects at length on the state of the world and the significance of the US president's Greenland threats.
David Lammy gives an impassioned defence against critics who question his friendship with Vice President J D Vance and reflects on his life's journey from Tottenham to Harvard.
He also discusses the ongoing row over jury trial reforms, potential upcoming by-elections, and Keir Starmer government's storytelling.
Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Hal Haines and Chris Murphy Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 23 Jan 2026 - 303 - 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 course" with teachers over pay and conditions.
Why does a former minister describe him as "disarming" while the press brand him as "militant" and a "hardened protester"?
Nick also presses Kebede on the blocking of a Jewish Bristol MP from visiting a school, past comments about Israel, and whether taxpayers can afford further pay rises for teachers.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora Murray Sound: Stephen Pontin Sound mixing: Robin Schroder Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 - 302 - 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 been at the top of SNP-led government's for almost all of the last 19 years. He is now asking for another five years, with the hope of securing a new independence referendum.
In this conversation, Swinney talks about how he charmed Donald Trump, reflects on a dangerous world, and opens up about the pressures on his family life.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Flora Murray Sound: Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 09 Jan 2026 - 301 - 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 a conviction that bars her from running for office.
In the meantime, he is on a mission to persuade people that his party has changed since its history as the National Front, founded in the 1970s by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a convicted racist and Holocaust-denier.
Can he succeed?
In this interview, Bardella responds to Donald Trump's criticism of Europe, rejects challenges on racism and explains why he is in London to meet with Nigel Farage
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Leela Padmanabhan Research: Lisa Louis Translation: Pierre-Antoine Denis Additional translation: Merlyn Thomas, Erwan Rivault Sound editing: Craig Kingham Editor: Giles Edwards
Wed, 10 Dec 2025 - 300 - 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 emulate Margaret Thatcher's regeneration of the Conservative Party?
How did anger help drive her into politics?
And why do her kids wish she still worked at McDonald's?
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Editor: Jonathan Brunert Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 - 299 - 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 in the House of Commons? And how does she intend to avoid "ceding the territory of asylum to the far right"?
The Home Secretary reflects on how her Muslim faith plays a part in her job and sense of public service. And she reflects on the "humiliation" of the Downing Street briefing chaos.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Sound: Ged Sudlow and Hal Haines Editor: Jonathan Brunert
Thu, 20 Nov 2025 - 298 - '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 heritage and language formed the basis for his vision for the country.
They explore Welsh identity and the anti-monarchy spirit that inspired the name of his teenage band.
Also on the agenda: immigration, mispronunciations, and Robbie Williams.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Editor: Leela Padmanabhan
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 - 297 - 'I like it when people underestimate me': Lib Dem leader Ed DaveyFri, 07 Nov 2025
- 296 - 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 NATO, the state of Israel, seeking power, and why she likened her relationship with Corbyn to the Gallagher brothers.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 31 Oct 2025 - 295 - 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 get as much aid as possible into the Gaza Strip.
He gives a behind-the-scenes account of how he works with the Trump White House and how the ceasefire deal was struck in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Fletcher also shares his lessons learned from his years as foreign adviser to Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Hal Haines and Ged Sudlow
Fri, 24 Oct 2025 - 294 - 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 opposite number, Ed Miliband.
She also shares her feelings about what she calls a rising "ethno-nationalism" on the right of British politics, as well as her reaction to her colleague Robert Jenrick's comments about Birmingham.
Nick asks how she ended up being sacked by Nigella Lawson, and sets up a future dinner party with Miliband.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Sound: Jed Sudlow and Andy Mills Editor: Jonathan Brunert
Fri, 17 Oct 2025 - 293 - 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 this subject, and warns of society falling into an "abyss" of political violence.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Sound: Ged Sudlow and Fiona Fairmaner Editors: Giles Edwards and Leela Padmanabhan
Fri, 10 Oct 2025 - 292 - 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-list
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 - 291 - 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
Fri, 26 Sep 2025 - 290 - Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's valuesWed, 17 Sep 2025
- 289 - '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 to succeed in building the homes that Labour has promised
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Researcher: Chloe Desave Sound editing: Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards
Fri, 12 Sep 2025 - 288 - 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 Editor: Giles Edwarnds
Fri, 05 Sep 2025 - 287 - The Friedrich Merz OneFri, 18 Jul 2025
- 286 - 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
Fri, 11 Jul 2025 - 285 - 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 Trump
Producers: Daniel Kraemer, Leela Padmanabhan and Chloe Desave
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 - 284 - 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 to the "most important deliberative body on the planet".
Fri, 27 Jun 2025 - 283 - 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.
Fri, 20 Jun 2025 - 282 - 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
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 - 281 - 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 of 51 people in a mosque in New Zealand in 2019.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Tue, 03 Jun 2025 - 280 - 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
Fri, 30 May 2025 - 279 - The Eluned Morgan OneFri, 23 May 2025
- 278 - The Richard Tice OneFri, 16 May 2025
- 277 - 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
Wed, 07 May 2025 - 276 - 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
Wed, 05 Mar 2025 - 275 - 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
Wed, 05 Mar 2025 - 274 - The Carla Denyer 2025 OneFri, 28 Feb 2025
- 273 - The Heidi Alexander OneFri, 21 Feb 2025
- 272 - 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, being the subject of offensive graffiti, and explains how he retains optimism.
Producers: Lauren Tavriger and Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 - 271 - 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 Musk, Suella Braverman and his boss, Nigel Farage.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 07 Feb 2025 - 270 - 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 premature baby twins and what he has learned from success and failure in business.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 31 Jan 2025 - 269 - 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 sister, Jo Cox, helps explain the journey.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 24 Jan 2025 - 268 - The Rachel Reeves Chancellor OneFri, 17 Jan 2025
- 267 - The Nick Clegg OneFri, 06 Dec 2024
- 266 - 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 International Court of Justice (ICJ) found it plausible that genocide had been committed in Gaza. The ICJ actually decided that the Palestinians had a plausible right to be protected from genocide and we’re happy to make that clear.
Fri, 29 Nov 2024 - 265 - The Daisy Cooper OneFri, 22 Nov 2024
- 264 - The Mark Rowley One
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner reflects on the decision to rejoin the UK's largest police force when it was in crisis.
Sir Mark Rowley sits down with Nick Robinson to outline the challenges the Met faces under his leadership, as well as how he decided as a teenager that policing was his mission.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Thu, 14 Nov 2024 - 263 - The Darren Jones One
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury sits down with Nick to chart his rise to the heart of Starmer's government.
How did a Bristol boy, whose parents sometimes went without meals to ensure he had food, end up at the Chancellor's side, in charge of the purse-strings of the government?
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 08 Nov 2024 - 262 - The Rupert Soames CBI OneThu, 31 Oct 2024
- 261 - The Kemi Badenoch for Leader OneTue, 22 Oct 2024
- 260 - The Matt Goodwin OneFri, 18 Oct 2024
- 259 - The Tzipi Hotovely OneFri, 11 Oct 2024
- 258 - The John Swinney OneFri, 04 Oct 2024
- 257 - The Wes Streeting Health Secretary One
The Health Secretary sits down with Nick Robinson at the end of the Labour conference in Liverpool.
Wes Streeting reflects on how his family role-models led him to become a political fighter, rebukes those who criticise him for being too gloomy about the NHS, and reveals why an Oasis classic was his kareoke song of choice at the previous night's party.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 - 256 - The Mick Whelan One
Mick Whelan is General Secretary of Aslef, the union representing train drivers.
He sits down with Nick on the week that his members voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer, bringing to an end two years of strike action.
Whelan reflects on growing up in working class West London and being one of a number of 2nd-generation Irish immigrants who have become union leaders in the UK. Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 - 255 - The James Cleverly for Leader One
Why does the former Home Secretary believe he has 'outperformed everyone else on this leadership ticket by a country mile'? How did growing up as a mixed-race boy in London at the height of the National Front shape his politics? And what does the government need to do to improve integration in the UK?
Fri, 13 Sep 2024 - 254 - The Karim Khan International Prosecutor OneThu, 05 Sep 2024
- 253 - The Liz Kendall OneFri, 26 Jul 2024
- 252 - The Robert Jenrick 2024 OneFri, 19 Jul 2024
- 251 - The Pat McFadden in Power OneFri, 12 Jul 2024
- 250 - The Caitlin Moran OneFri, 24 May 2024
- 249 - The Victoria Atkins One
After a damning report into maternity services in England, the Health Secretary opens up about her own traumatic childbirth experience in the NHS.
Victoria Atkins also speaks to Nick Robinson about a change of tone in dealings with doctors' unions, growing up as child of an MP and what she thought when Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour.
Fri, 17 May 2024 - 248 - The Emma Little-Pengelly OneThu, 07 Mar 2024
- 247 - The Nigel Farage 2024 One
Nigel Farage tells Nick Robinson that "timing is everything" when it comes to deciding whether to return to frontline politics. Fresh off the plane from Florida, Farage talks about what he can learn from - and how he can defend - Donald Trump, as well as islamophobia, Liz Truss, and what he would do if prime minister
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Thu, 29 Feb 2024 - 246 - The Mariana Mazzucato OneWed, 21 Feb 2024
- 245 - The Emma Runswick One
The Deputy Chair of the British Medical Association Council talks to Nick Robinson ahead of the latest round of junior doctor strikes.
She defends the pay demands set out by doctors, tells the story of a life of activism, and opens up about the horrors of working in Covid wards at the height of the pandemic.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Fri, 16 Feb 2024 - 244 - The Shabana Mahmood OneThu, 08 Feb 2024
- 243 - Bonus episode: The Michelle O’Neill One - RevisitedWed, 07 Feb 2024
- 242 - The Jeremy Hunt Chancellor OneThu, 01 Feb 2024
- 241 - The Blair and Hague OneThu, 25 Jan 2024
- 240 - The Humza Yousaf OneThu, 18 Jan 2024
- 239 - The Ben Wallace 2023 OneFri, 24 Nov 2023
- 238 - The Kishwer Falkner OneFri, 17 Nov 2023
- 237 - The Michael Gove 2023 One
Nick Robinson sits down with the Levelling Up Secretary for an in-depth conversation about what lies behind his drive for reform, having first joined the cabinet 13 years ago. They also reflect on community tensions in the UK as a result of war in the Middle East, what the Home Secretary has said about protests, and what Nadine Dorries has written about him
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Thu, 09 Nov 2023 - 236 - The Pat McFadden One
Labour's campaign chief talks to Nick Robinson about how to deal with divisions with in the party, communities and families on events in the middle east. And how has he become the "great survivor" of the party, from working as Tony Blair's backroom fixer in the 90s to running Labour's election campaign?
Fri, 03 Nov 2023 - 235 - The Michelle Donelan OneThu, 26 Oct 2023
- 234 - The Radek Sikorski OneSat, 21 Oct 2023
- 233 - The Nick Gibb OneFri, 13 Oct 2023
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