Political Thinking with Nick Robinson Podcast
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
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 to download
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John Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops in Ukraine
Today
What is the Scottish First Minister's secret for getting Donald Trump's attention?
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Jordan Bardella: The 30-year-old populist hoping to be France's next president
Sat 13 Dec 2025
An exclusive interview on immigration, racism, Russia, Farage and Trump.
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Kemi Badenoch: Shooting from the hip
Sat 29 Nov 2025
Why did the leader of the opposition call the chancellor 'spineless' and 'shameless'?
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Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me
Sat 22 Nov 2025
Why did the Home Secretary quote racial abuse in her big immigration speech in Parliament?
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'I'm preparing for government': Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Can Plaid Cymru replace Labour as the party of power in Wales next year?
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'I like it when people underestimate me': Lib Dem leader Ed Davey
Sat 8 Nov 2025
Ed Davey warns Starmer against handing Reform UK 'the keys into 10 Downing Street'.
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Life after Labour: Zarah Sultana on Palestine, Farage and 'Your Party'
Sat 1 Nov 2025
The Coventry MP on Palestine, NATO, Farage and setting up a new party with Jeremy Corbyn.
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Gaza, Trump and me: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher
Sat 25 Oct 2025
Seeing Gaza is like 'driving through the ruins of Hiroshima, or Stalingrad, or Dresden'.
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Net Zero has become a religion: Claire Coutinho on climate, identity and cooking
Sat 18 Oct 2025
The shadow energy minister has transformed her party's approach to climate policy.
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Free Speech Tsar: Arif Ahmed on how to avoid the 'abyss' of political violence
Sat 11 Oct 2025
How do you protect and police freedom of speech on campus and in society?
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Bridget Phillipson on life as education secretary
Sat 4 Oct 2025
The Labour deputy leadership candidate joins Nick in Liverpool at Labour party conference.
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Preparing Farage for Power: Danny Kruger on defecting to Reform UK
Sat 27 Sep 2025
How can Christian conservatism save our society?
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Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values
Sat 20 Sep 2025
Lucy Powell on being sacked by Starmer, and why she now wants to be his deputy.
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'Build Baby Build': The new housing secretary, Steve Reed
Sat 13 Sep 2025
The man who replaced his close friend Angela Rayner as housing secretary joins Nick.
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China, Russia and us: Tony Radakin on four years as Chief of the Defence Staff
Sat 6 Sep 2025
An exclusive exit interview with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in the week he steps down.
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The Friedrich Merz One
Sat 19 Jul 2025
The German chancellor speaks candidly about Trump, war in Europe, and post-Brexit Britain.
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The Josh Babarinde One
Sat 12 Jul 2025
How one Lib Dem MP persuaded ministers to change the law within a year of being elected.
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The Keir Starmer Prime Minister One
Sat 5 Jul 2025
The Prime Minister sits down with Nick in Downing Street to mark a year in power.
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Trump's America: The Scott Perry One
Sat 28 Jun 2025
A Republican Congressman outlines the values that lie behind his conservative politics.
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The Douglas Alexander One
Sat 21 Jun 2025
The trade minister on how a penalty shootout played a role in his government appointment.
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The Mel Stride One
Sat 14 Jun 2025
The Shadow Chancellor joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio.
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The Jacinda Ardern One
Sat 7 Jun 2025
How does it feel to be held up as the 'anti-Trump' leader by progressives worldwide?
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The Tanni Grey-Thompson One
Sat 31 May 2025
How does a career as a top athlete prepare you for politics?
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The Eluned Morgan One
Sat 24 May 2025
The First Minister of Wales on her vision for a "Red Welsh Way" to the left of Starmer.
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The Richard Tice One
Sat 17 May 2025
Reform UK's deputy leader hints at the cabinet job he's eyeing up.
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Bonus: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One - Part 2
Wed 5 Mar 2025
Part 2 of an exclusive interview with the former PM, reflecting on life in Downing Street
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The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One
Wed 5 Mar 2025
An exclusive interview with the former PM, reflecting on four years in Downing Street.
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The Carla Denyer 2025 One
Sat 1 Mar 2025
The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversation.
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The Heidi Alexander One
Sat 22 Feb 2025
The Transport Secretary joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio.
