Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
BBC Radio 4
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 12:30pm on Fridays or on BBC iPlayer. And you can listen on BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays at 17:30.If you enjoy Political Thinking, then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Radical with Amol Rajan and you can listen here on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
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 12:30pm on Fridays or on BBC iPlayer. And you can listen on BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays at 17:30.If you enjoy Political Thinking, then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Radical with Amol Rajan and you can listen here on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 8, 2024 • 41min
The Darren Jones One
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Starmer's government, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in Bristol to a pivotal role in politics. He recounts a surprising celebrity encounter with Cher on election eve, highlighting the whirlwind of campaign life. Jones reflects on the emotional landscape of significant political events and the complex nature of ambition and luck in politics. He also discusses the importance of understanding 'working people' and the accountability issues facing modern governance.
Oct 31, 2024 • 38min
The Rupert Soames CBI One
How did Churchill's grandson end up at the top of British industry?Rupert Soames - Chair of the Confederation of British Industry - sits down with Nick Robinson to talk about this Labour government's first budget, which he claims did not offer enough "bang for the buck"Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Oct 22, 2024 • 48min
The Kemi Badenoch for Leader One
Kemi Badenoch, a former Business Secretary and Conservative Party leadership candidate, shares her insights on what drives her political ambitions. She navigates her unique experience as an immigrant, discussing the complexity of citizenship and identity. Badenoch critiques current leadership strategies, advocating for teamwork over individualism during challenging times. She also connects her working-class roots to her political representation, emphasizing empathy and cultural understanding as vital for effective governance.
Oct 18, 2024 • 43min
The Matt Goodwin One
The academic and author Matt Goodwin sat down with Nick Robinson in the aftermath of the riots that spread across the UK in the summer, to discuss whether there are 'legitimate grievences' that lay behind the violence, or just 'hate-fuelled mob violence sparked by misinformation.
Oct 11, 2024 • 44min
The Tzipi Hotovely One
The Israeli Ambassador sits down with Nick Robinson on the week of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.
They discuss what lies behind her worldview, the mindset of Israelis and the actions of her government.
Oct 4, 2024 • 37min
The John Swinney One
The First Minister of Scotland sits down with Nick to reflect on his reluctant path to power.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Sep 26, 2024 • 44min
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
Sep 19, 2024 • 38min
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
Sep 13, 2024 • 50min
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?
Sep 5, 2024 • 51min
The Karim Khan International Prosecutor One
The Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court sits down with Nick Robinson.Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Jonathan Brunert
