Political Thinking with Nick Robinson - podcast cover

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

BBC Radio 4www.bbc.co.uk

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.

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Episodes

The Neil Ferguson One

The leading epidemiologist on how science and politics can best work together, being forced to resign from a government committee, and his media nickname of 'Professor Lockdown'

Jun 26, 202036 min

The Robert Buckland One

The Justice Secretary on loneliness in politics, kneeling, how courts respond to covid, and why there is no such thing as 'normal' - plus he demonstrates his love of music

Jun 19, 202038 min

The Maro Itoje One

The leading England rugby player on racism, Black Lives Matter, statues, finding middle ground, the diversity of Harrow School, and being impressed by Keir Starmer

Jun 12, 202037 min

The Arlene Foster One

Northern Ireland's First Minister on what happened to her family during the Troubles, her discussions with Boris Johnson over Brexit, and what she's missed most during lockdown

Jun 05, 202036 min

The Jonathan Sumption One

The former Supreme Court justice on why lockdown is 'despotic', being a libertarian, not being a politician, what Lord Hutton's inquiry got wrong and what Keith Joseph got right

May 29, 202033 min

The Jeremy Hunt covid one

Jeremy Hunt talks about making mistakes, learning from Asia, his dispute with the junior doctors, and the trials of family life

May 22, 202035 min

The Mark Drakeford One

Wales's First Minister on tackling the virus, working with Boris & digging the allotment

May 15, 202032 min

The Richard Horton One

The editor of the Lancet discusses problems in the relationship between science and politics, why he thinks the lockdown must go on, and whether he is really a headline chaser.

May 07, 202034 min

The new Keir Starmer one

Labour's new leader Keir Starmer talks about his background, upbringing, legal career and core values (in an interview recorded in 2018)

Apr 06, 202028 min

The Rosena Allin-Khan One

The Labour deputy leadership candidate and doctor on being prepared for coronavirus, why she chose politics and that Love Actually video

Mar 13, 202041 min

The Rebecca Long-Bailey One

The Labour leadership candidate on her Mancunian roots, why she didn't go into politics straight away and raising her eyebrows

Mar 06, 202038 min

The Ian Murray One

The Labour deputy leadership candidate on uniting Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, saving Hearts FC and why Labour has to recover in Scotland if it is ever to win in Westminster again

Feb 28, 202043 min

The Nigel Farage Brexit Day One

The leading Brexit campaigner on the lessons he learnt as a City trader, what he thought of the 1975 referendum, and how he changed the 2019 election

Jan 31, 202035 min

The Andy Street One

The Mayor of the West Midlands on his passion for HS2, why he nearly became a social worker and encouraging mavericks

Jan 30, 202035 min

The Nicky Morgan One

The Culture Secretary on why she went from Remainer rebel to Boris loyalist, her decision to quit frontline politics and the uncertain future of the BBC

Jan 23, 202036 min

The Lisa Nandy One

The Labour leadership candidate on her Liberal Grandfather, Marxist Dad, reviving towns and a love of Britney

Jan 17, 202051 min

The Ben Wallace One

The Defence Secretary on getting the MoD's house in order, how he discovered a ticking bomb and why Boris Johnson is a 'left-wing Tory'

Dec 20, 201933 min

The Prime Ministerial Debate One

A special edition with audio of Boris Johnson v Jeremy Corbyn, plus Nick's reflections after the debate

Dec 07, 20191 hr 4 min

The General Election One with Bartley and Hancock

Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley reveals why an encounter with David Cameron led him into politics, while Health Secretary Matt Hancock discusses his loyalty to Boris Johnson and why he keeps his mobile phone at bay

Dec 04, 201957 min

The Lindsay Hoyle One

The new Speaker on how he'll be different from his predecessor, his Lancastrian roots and the roll call of his 'political' pets

Nov 07, 201948 min

The Laura Pidcock One

Labour's shadow employment rights spokesperson discusses class politics, friends and enemies, and the commentariat

Oct 31, 201942 min

The Robert Jenrick One

The Housing Secretary on sleeping rough, owning homes, the Grenfell inquiry - and being the youngest cabinet minister

Oct 25, 201933 min

The Sadiq Khan One

London's Mayor on the benefits of boxing, why it's good to be friends with Tories, and his arguments with Donald Trump

Oct 18, 201943 min

The Rishi Sunak One

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury on why the Wirral meeting may go down in history, loosening the purse strings and his knowledge of The Force

Oct 11, 201936 min

The Grant Shapps One

The Transport Secretary on planning for a no deal Brexit, using a spreadsheet to back Boris Johnson and why he's grateful to Ronald McDonald

Oct 03, 201932 min
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