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 12:15 pm on Fridays or on BBC iPlayer. And you can listen on BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays at 17:30.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
David Lammy: The old world order isn't coming back
Jan 2300:50:39Summary readyWhat happens when US Vice President Vance goes drinking with Angela Rayner & David Lammy?
SummaryDavid Lammy: The old world order isn't coming back
Jan 2300:50:39Summary readyWhat 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
SummaryThe union leader who agrees with the Tory leader: Daniel Kebede
Jan 1600:43:53Summary readyThe National Education Union's general secretary on banning social media, strikes and raceDaniel 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
SummaryJohn Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops in Ukraine
Jan 900:42:09Summary readyWhat 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
SummaryJordan Bardella: The 30-year-old populist hoping to be France's next president
Dec 1000:47:15Tap to summarizeAn 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 FarageProducers: 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
Transcribe →Free Speech Tsar: Arif Ahmed on how to avoid the 'abyss' of political violence
Oct 1000:44:57Summary readyHow 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
SummaryBridget Phillipson on life as education secretary
Oct 200:43:47Summary readyOne 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
SummaryPreparing Farage for Power: Danny Kruger on defecting to Reform UK
Sep 2600:43:29Summary readyDanny 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
SummaryLucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values
Sep 1700:42:22Summary readyLucy 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
Summary'Build Baby Build': The new housing secretary, Steve Reed
Sep 1200:36:55Summary readySteve 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 promisedProducer: Daniel Kraemer Researcher: Chloe Desave Sound editing: Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards
Summary