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...
Latest episodes
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39 min ↗
'We can't leave it to tech bros and oligarchs': AI minister Kanishka Narayan
From a childhood in India, to a new seat at Andy Burnham's cabinet table: what has shaped the man who is now tasked with shaping the UK's response to the world of AI?How did Kanish…
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37 min ↗
Suella Braverman: 'I'm not imposing my idea of Englishness on anyone else'
"I played it nicely in government. I should have been harder.'That is the reflection of the former Home Secretary, now Reform UK's education spokesperson, on her time at the top of…
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40 min ↗
Tom Watson: Don't bow to 'mob rule' on Palantir
The former deputy Labour leader has been criticised for joining the controversial tech firm, Palantir, as it tries to persuade ministers not to cut off a huge NHS contract.How did…
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40 min ↗
We're failing the next generation: Alan Milburn on getting young people into work
The man tasked with tackling youth worklessness joins Nick at the Labour conference in Liverpool.Alan Milburn has looked into the whites of the eyes of the prime minister and the c…
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41 min ↗
'Can you not hear their rage?': Film-maker Paul Greengrass
The British director reflects today's political and social mood in his new film, The Uprising, about the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.Paul Greengrass tells Nick how the rage that led t…
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41 min ↗
"Weakness is provocative": Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat on the UK's role in the world
Tom Tugendhat on Trump's diplomacy, the Afghanistan withdrawal and being sanctioned by ChinaDoes the Shadow Foreign Secretary think Trump's remarks on Ireland and the Falkland Isla…
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45 min ↗
Angela Rayner on her return to the top table: 'It’s good to give people a second chance'
The Housing Secretary joins Nick for the first episode of a new series of Political Thinking.Angela Rayner talks about the change of character, personality and politics in Downing…
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36 min ↗
"It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her party
As the Burnham era dawns, the Leader of the Opposition on why it's time to transform her party, what would get her round the table with the new Prime Minister - and the people who…
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39 min ↗
'Our donors are brave people': Reform's Robert Jenrick on wealth, power, and the establishment
As the country reels from the death of Reform's Ann Widdecombe, the party's Treasury Spokesman discusses the threat to politicians, debates whether calling politicians racists and…
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42 min ↗
We've got a plan: Louise Haigh on her journey back to power
The former Transport Secretary, sidelined by Keir Starmer, reveals she's been working with Burnham on a plan for government for at least a year, and has already seen the prospectiv…
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29 min ↗
The Treasury was in denial: John Healey on why he resigned as defence secretary
In his first interview since resigning from Keir Starmer's government, the former Defence Secretary John Healey talks about the threats we face, his hopes for a Burnham government,…
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1 h 05 ↗
What went wrong for Starmer: Morgan McSweeney gives his side of the story
In his first ever interview, the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney lifts the lid on winning power, dealing with Trump, and how project Starmer fell apart.Prod…
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34 min ↗
'A bad start even before he starts' - Welsh First Minister on why trouble's brewing with Burnham
The 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 wit…
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32 min ↗
From Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State gre…
Former 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.
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31 min ↗
'We need some daydreaming': lawyer Theodor Meron on surviving the Holocaust, and issuing Netanyahu’s arrest wa…
International lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust.This episode has been subject to a Corre…
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36 min ↗
Why Starmer will survive: The Attorney General on human rights, small boats, and his ‘dogged’ friend the Prime…
The 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.
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36 min ↗
“Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality…
Chair 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.
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53 min ↗
'What the hell are we doing?' Wes Streeting on his promise to young people, resigning from government, and wan…
Labour 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.
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49 min ↗
Why the PM has to go: Miatta Fahnbulleh on being the first minister to break with Starmer
The 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 s…
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54 min ↗
'It's been a whirlwind': Zack Polanski on storytelling, Zionism and Zackonomics
Few 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 Robinso…