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 Philip Hammond One

The Chancellor on blocking a no-deal Brexit, spreading muck, the benefits of being dull, and the 'bizarre' feeling of finding himself on the far left of the Conservative party

Jul 05, 201941 min

The Ed Davey One

The Liberal Democrat leadership contender on why liberalism has a future (despite President Putin's comments), his call for a government of national unity and why he wants his homework back from Ed Balls

Jun 28, 201942 min

The Steve Barclay One

The Brexit Secretary on his Lancastrian roots, the 'challenges' facing the new PM and his days as a scrum-half

Jun 21, 201939 min

The David Lidington One

The Deputy Prime Minister on doing PMQs, the Tory leadership battle and the dreaded 3am phone call, plus some Elizabethan history and a re-enactment of University Challenge

Jun 14, 201946 min

The Jeremy Hunt One

The Foreign Secretary on his inner toughness, the biggest jolt he's received while in the cabinet, the genius of Japan, and how to have fun dancing the lambada - plus a taste test

May 31, 201936 min

The Michael Gove One

The Environment Secretary on why he's running to be prime minister, how being adopted as a boy has influenced his thinking, and whether he can really be trusted.

May 26, 201948 min

The Helle Thorning-Schmidt One

The former Danish PM offers advice on life after office, dealing with populists and whether she wants to run the EU

May 23, 201944 min

The Stella Creasy One

The Labour MP on her mum's career advice, campaigning against payday lending and trying to avoid the Pythonesque giant foot of Brexit.

May 17, 201935 min

The Sajid Javid One

The Home Secretary explains how as a son of an immigrant bus driver he defied advice to become a banker and cabinet minister - but where will his ambitions take him next?

May 10, 201946 min

The Rory Stewart One

The new International Development Secretary on his pitch for the top job, the climate change 'emergency' and the joy of walking

May 03, 201941 min

The Alastair Campbell One

The People's Vote campaigner on dealing with depression, admiring Bill Clinton's speaking style and why Labour will be 'marmalized' at the European elections unless it commits to a second referendum

Apr 26, 201954 min

The Jed Mercurio One

The writer of Line of Duty and Bodyguard explains his approach to writing with authenticity about politics, the police and the NHS

Apr 18, 201944 min

The Steve Baker One

The Conservative Eurosceptic MP on righteous anger, herding tigers, not surrendering and why he's a left wing free marketeer

Apr 12, 201945 min

The Geoffrey Cox One

The Attorney General on the 'difficult birth' of Brexit, talking to Corbyn and why 'April is the cruellest month'

Apr 04, 201944 min

The Oliver Letwin One

A former Thatcherite with a record of gaffes, is he now usurping the role of prime minister or has he become a Mr. Fixit taking responsibility to tackle a national crisis?

Mar 29, 201941 min

The Greg Clark One

The Business Secretary on why Theresa May's address to the nation 'wasn't a great success', finding common ground on Brexit and whether his name is actually Greg.

Mar 22, 201933 min

The Esther McVey One

The former Cabinet Minister on deciding to back May's deal, ensuring a 'dignified' exit for the PM and her Liverpudlian roots.

Mar 15, 201945 min

The Gavin Williamson One

The Defence Secretary on why the Prime Minister should go 'on and on', speaking plain Yorkshire and why he kept a tarantula.

Mar 08, 201942 min

The Tobias Ellwood One

The Defence Minister on escaping 'Carry On Brexit', Britain's place in the world and the personal impact of terrorism

Mar 01, 201943 min

The Luciana Berger One

The Independent MP on the trauma of leaving Labour, the stresses of facing anti-Semitism and the difficult process of forging a new political force

Feb 22, 201941 min

The Gloria De Piero One

The Labour MP on why she dreamed of going to Skegness, the importance of listening to Leave voters and why her colleagues need to keep the faith.

Feb 15, 201943 min

The Jonathan Ashworth One

The Shadow Health Secretary on coming to terms with his Dad's alcoholism, his fears over Brexit and why he's a Croslandite and not a Corbynite

Feb 08, 201942 min

The Sir Graham Brady One

The Chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee on delaying Article 50, championing grammar schools and where he keeps his safe.

Feb 01, 201950 min

The David Miliband One

David discusses Davos, his refugee parents, the case for another referendum, the future of British politics, and where he feels at home.

Jan 25, 201944 min

The Nick Boles One

The Conservative MP on his plan to block a no-deal Brexit, why his time in Parliament may be up and why he now lives every moment.

Jan 18, 201949 min

The Personal is Political One

Nick reflects on what the personal interviews from the podcast over the last year reveal about the state of today's politics

Jan 04, 201928 min

The David Gauke One

The Justice Secretary on slaying unicorns, why he might quit the Cabinet and his overnight stay in prison.

Dec 21, 201840 min

The Hilary Benn One

The Chair of the Brexit Committee on Theresa May's options, why he disagreed with his father's views on Europe and the art of keeping a diary

Dec 14, 201843 min

The Justine Greening One

The former cabinet minister on being a Rotherham Tory, breaking the class ceiling, why resigning from government preserved her self-respect, and the case for another referendum

Dec 07, 201844 min
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