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Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.

Radio 4,299 episodes

Episodes

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John Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops in Ukraine
What is the Scottish First Minister's secret for getting Donald Trump's attention?
10 Jan 2026,42 mins
Jordan Bardella: The 30-year-old populist hoping to be France's next president
An exclusive interview on immigration, racism, Russia, Farage and Trump.
13 Dec 2025,47 mins
Kemi Badenoch: Shooting from the hip
Why did the leader of the opposition call the chancellor 'spineless' and 'shameless'?
29 Nov 2025,46 mins
Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me
Why did the Home Secretary quote racial abuse in her big immigration speech in Parliament?
22 Nov 2025,49 mins,
'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?
15 Nov 2025,38 mins
'I like it when people underestimate me': Lib Dem leader Ed Davey
Ed Davey warns Starmer against handing Reform UK 'the keys into 10 Downing Street'.
08 Nov 2025,47 mins
Life after Labour: Zarah Sultana on Palestine, Farage and 'Your Party'
The Coventry MP on Palestine, NATO, Farage and setting up a new party with Jeremy Corbyn.
01 Nov 2025,47 mins
Gaza, Trump and me: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher
Seeing Gaza is like 'driving through the ruins of Hiroshima, or Stalingrad, or Dresden'.
25 Oct 2025,48 mins,
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.
18 Oct 2025,42 mins
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?
11 Oct 2025,44 mins
Bridget Phillipson on life as education secretary
The Labour deputy leadership candidate joins Nick in Liverpool at Labour party conference.
04 Oct 2025,43 mins
Preparing Farage for Power: Danny Kruger on defecting to Reform UK
How can Christian conservatism save our society?
27 Sep 2025,43 mins
Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values
Lucy Powell on being sacked by Starmer, and why she now wants to be his deputy.
20 Sep 2025,42 mins
'Build Baby Build': The new housing secretary, Steve Reed
The man who replaced his close friend Angela Rayner as housing secretary joins Nick.
13 Sep 2025,36 mins
China, Russia and us: Tony Radakin on four years as Chief of the Defence Staff
An exclusive exit interview with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in the week he steps down.
06 Sep 2025,49 mins
The Friedrich Merz One
The German chancellor speaks candidly about Trump, war in Europe, and post-Brexit Britain.
19 Jul 2025,34 mins
The Josh Babarinde One
How one Lib Dem MP persuaded ministers to change the law within a year of being elected.
12 Jul 2025,33 mins
The Keir Starmer Prime Minister One
The Prime Minister sits down with Nick in Downing Street to mark a year in power.
05 Jul 2025,46 mins
Trump's America: The Scott Perry One
A Republican Congressman outlines the values that lie behind his conservative politics.
28 Jun 2025,31 mins
The Douglas Alexander One
The trade minister on how a penalty shootout played a role in his government appointment.
21 Jun 2025,43 mins
The Mel Stride One
The Shadow Chancellor joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio.
14 Jun 2025,37 mins
The Jacinda Ardern One
How does it feel to be held up as the 'anti-Trump' leader by progressives worldwide?
07 Jun 2025,33 mins
The Tanni Grey-Thompson One
How does a career as a top athlete prepare you for politics?
31 May 2025,40 mins
The Eluned Morgan One
The First Minister of Wales on her vision for a "Red Welsh Way" to the left of Starmer.
24 May 2025,45 mins
The Richard Tice One
Reform UK's deputy leader hints at the cabinet job he's eyeing up.
17 May 2025,38 mins
The Joe Biden One
An exclusive interview with the former president, to mark VE Day.
10 May 2025,29 mins
Bonus: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One - Part 2
Part 2 of an exclusive interview with the former PM, reflecting on life in Downing Street
05 Mar 2025,61 mins
The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One
An exclusive interview with the former PM, reflecting on four years in Downing Street.
05 Mar 2025,58 mins
The Carla Denyer 2025 One
The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversation.
01 Mar 2025,33 mins
The Heidi Alexander One
The Transport Secretary joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio.
22 Feb 2025,41 mins