Podcast
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
Hosted by BBC Radio 4 · EN
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.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
'A bad start even before he starts' - Welsh First Minister on why trouble's brewing with Burnham
5d ago00:34:04Summary readyThe 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.
SummaryFrom Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State great again
2w ago00:32:02Summary readyFormer 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.
Summary'We need some daydreaming': lawyer Theodor Meron on surviving the Holocaust, and issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant
3w ago00:31:09Summary readyInternational lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust.
SummaryWhy Starmer will survive: The Attorney General on human rights, small boats, and his ‘dogged’ friend the Prime Minister
4w ago00:35:52Summary readyThe 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.
Summary“Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still matters
May 2900:36:04Summary readyChair 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.
Summary'What the hell are we doing?' Wes Streeting on his promise to young people, resigning from government, and wanting to be PM
May 2100:52:56Summary readyLabour 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.
SummaryWhy the PM has to go: Miatta Fahnbulleh on being the first minister to break with Starmer
May 1500:49:19Summary readyThe 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
Summary'It's been a whirlwind': Zack Polanski on storytelling, Zionism and Zackonomics
Mar 2000:54:02Summary readyFew 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
SummaryFrom Sky boss to Number 10: Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith
Mar 1300:39:57Summary readyAndrew 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
Summary'We cannot have chaos': Emily Thornberry on the law of war and Labour's struggles
Mar 600:41:53Summary readyThe 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
Summary