Podcasts by Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Introducing... When It Hits The Fan from 2023-12-13T08:00

Who's in the news for all the wrong reasons? David Yelland and Simon Lewis invite you to join them in the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as they watch the week's biggest PR disasters ...

The Ben Wallace 2023 One from 2023-11-24T06:00

The former Defence Secretary opens up about the impact of high-pressure government jobs on family relations and tells the behind-the-scenes story of the lead-up to the Ukraine War and his take o...

The Kishwer Falkner One from 2023-11-17T06:00

Nick Robinson sits down with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to discuss multiculturalism, transgender rights and challenging the UK government on its asylum policies.

The Michael Gove 2023 One from 2023-11-09T18:58

Nick Robinson sits down with the Levelling Up Secretary for an in-depth conversation about what lies behind his drive for reform, having first joined the cabinet 13 years ago. They also reflect ...

The Pat McFadden One from 2023-11-03T19:52

Labour's campaign chief talks to Nick Robinson about how to deal with divisions with in the party, communities and families on events in the middle east. And how has he become the "great surviv...

The Michelle Donelan One from 2023-10-26T10:30

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology talks to Nick Robinson about the UK's AI summit and how the world can balance protection against AI's dangers and harnessing it for ...

The Radek Sikorski One from 2023-10-21T05:00

Poland's former foreign minister talks to Nick Robinson about his journey from rebelling against communist rule as a child, living in exile in the UK, being a leading diplomat, and his party on ...

The Nick Gibb One from 2023-10-13T11:42

The Schools Minister tells Nick Robinson how his single-minded curriculum reform has kept him in his job for 10 of the last 13 years, and how his sexuality might have limited his career prospect...

The Roger Hallam One from 2023-10-05T05:30

The co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, now behind the scenes in Just Stop Oil, challenges Nick Robinson to emotionally engage with the reality of climate change and take a stand against global ...

The Keir Starmer 2023 One from 2023-09-28T05:00

The Leader of the Opposition sets out his vision for getting Labour back into government

Producer: Daniel Kraemer

The Ed Davey Party Leader One from 2023-09-21T15:30

The Liberal Democrat leader talks to Nick Robinson about caring for his disabled son, the value of coalitions in politics and why the prime minister's net zero strategy 'hands the future to Chin...

The Theresa May One from 2023-09-13T05:00

Nick Robinson talks to former prime minister Theresa May about why she wants to call out abuses of power, what went wrong after Brexit and growing up as a vicar's daughter.

Producer: Danie...

The Paul Nowak One from 2023-09-07T05:00

Nick Robinson talks to the boss of the TUC ahead of hosting his first Congress in his hometown of Liverpool, what it was like working with ministers during Covid and why we need a national conve...

The Anas Sarwar One from 2023-06-29T05:30

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

The George Freeman One from 2023-06-23T05:30

The Science minister talks to Nick Robinson about how his troubled childhood instilled conservative values from a young age and the challenge of dealing with buccaneering tech billionaires

The Lord Finkelstein One from 2023-06-17T09:18

Lord Daniel Finkelstein talks to Nick Robinson about what it is like preparing Conservative leaders for PMQs and how having two refugee parents shaped his politics of 'moderation'

The Louise Casey One from 2023-06-09T05:00

Baroness Louise Casey has become one of the most influencial non-politicians in the UK. She tells Nick Robinson why it all started with a passion for homelessness and what might be next on her l...

The Peter Kyle One from 2023-06-02T06:00

How does a politician with the reading age of an 8-year-old operate as a Shadow Cabinet member?

The Feargal Sharkey One from 2023-05-26T05:30

The former Undertones frontman tells Nick how his youth in Derry during the Troubles led him to becoming one of the most prominent environmental campaigners in Britain today.

The Stephen Flynn One from 2023-05-18T14:48

The SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, on what he will demand in the event of a hung Parliament, and how living with a disability shaped his politics.

The Penny Mordaunt One from 2023-05-11T13:52

Penny Mordaunt reveals the secret to holding that sword throughout the Coronation, whether she’s planning another tilt at the Conservative leadership and being PM, and why culture wars may not b...

The Suella Braverman One from 2023-03-10T16:07

In the week the government introduced tough, controversial new rules on stopping illegal immigrants entering the UK, Nick Robinson talks to the home secretary, Suella Braverman, about her father...

The Lee Anderson One from 2023-03-03T13:45

Nick Robinson talks to the Conservative Party's deputy chairman, Lee Anderson, about following his father's lead in becoming a miner, how he went from admiring Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill to b...

The Kwajo Tweneboa One from 2023-02-24T17:22

Nick Robinson talks to the housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa about his own experience of poor social housing and his father's death, how he harnessed the power of social media to become a powerf...

The Steve Reed One from 2023-02-17T10:43

Nick Robinson talks to the shadow justice secretary, Steve Reed, about why the collapse of a factory that employed most of his family led to him joining the Labour Party, how being mugged at kni...

The Iain Anderson One from 2023-02-10T14:51

Nick Robinson talks to the influential lobbyist and new chair of Stonewall, Iain Anderson, about how the case of Isla Bryson has brought gender politics to the top of the news agenda and how he ...

The Mary Bousted One from 2023-02-03T14:38

Nick Robinson talks to the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, Mary Bousted, about how her headteacher father inspired a passion for education, why she quit her job as an En...

The Tony Danker One from 2023-01-27T14:31

Nick Robinson talks to the director general of the Confederation of British Industry, Tony Danker. They discuss what it was like to grow up in a Jewish family in Belfast during 'The Troubles', w...

The Sharon Graham One from 2023-01-20T14:41

The leader of the Unite union gives a frank and engaging interview to Nick Robinson. She defends the new wave of strikes by ambulance workers, sets out how under her leadership Unite is 'followi...

The Liz Truss's Big Gamble One from 2022-12-05T17:47

A bonus episode, as Nick tells the extraordinary inside story of how Liz Truss gambled her premiership on a dramatic challenge to decades of orthodoxy.

The Bridget Phillipson One from 2022-11-25T14:53

Nick Robinson talks to Labour's shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, about her mum standing up to the people that burgled their house, her grandad's love of books sparking her passion...

The Clare Moriarty One from 2022-11-18T18:36

Nick Robinson talks to the chief executive of Citizens Advice, Clare Moriarty, about her and her family's long history with the civil service, how she coped with having cancer while running the ...

The Carla Denyer One from 2022-11-11T13:40

Nick Robinson talks to the Green Party's co-leader, Carla Denyer, about discovering grassroots campaigns at sixth form, declaring Europe's first climate emergency and why she chooses to wear bot...

The Gillian Keegan One from 2022-11-04T12:57

Nick Robinson talks to the new education secretary, Gillian Keegan, about leaving school at 16 to work in a car factory, the time Derek Hatton bought her a glass of champagne and why sometimes c...

The Angela Rayner Deputy Leader One from 2022-10-28T11:04

Nick Robinson talks to Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, about how her own experience of poverty has shaped her views on the cost of living crisis, her relationship with Labour's leader Kei...

The Rishi Sunak PM One - From the Archives from 2022-10-24T16:58

Nick Robinson revisits his interview with the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, from late 2019. The then-chief secretary to the treasury discussed working in his mother’s pharmacy, why he chose t...

The David Frost One from 2022-10-21T16:34

Nick Robinson talks to Conservative peer David Frost, the former chief Brexit negotiator, about Boris Johnson's potential return as Prime Minister, the downfall of Liz Truss and how he went from...

The Lisa Nandy Levelling Up One from 2022-10-14T17:03

Nick Robinson talks to Lisa Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, about preparing for government, the political lessons she's learned from football and whether she disagrees with Keir Starme...

The Paul Johnson One from 2022-10-07T16:51

Nick Robinson talks to Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, about attacks from the left and right on so-called economic orthodoxy, how to stay impartial during moments...

The Kit Malthouse One from 2022-09-30T14:44

Nick Robinson talks to the new education secretary, Kit Malthouse, about growing up in Liverpool, battling Labour students at university and his priorities for education in England.

The Jeremy Corbyn One from 2022-09-23T23:01

Nick Robinson talks to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn about how he became a socialist, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and whether he'll be allowed to stand again as a Labour candidate.

The Christopher Steele One from 2022-09-17T17:00

Nick Robinson talks to Christopher Steele, the author of the 'Trump-Russia dossier'. They discuss his time as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, how he became an overnight public figur...

The Jacob Rees-Mogg Leadership Crisis One from 2022-01-28T18:12

Nick Robinson talks to Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg about the Prime Minister's survival, cake, dead cats and banned words

The Gary Neville One from 2022-01-14T13:04

Nick Robinson talks to Gary Neville about his footballing career, the state of English football and his own political ambitions

The Wes Streeting One from 2022-01-07T13:29

The Shadow Health Secretary on bouncing back after illness, living with Covid and his connection to Christine Keeler

The 2022 New Year Special One from 2022-01-01T17:30

Nick Robinson reviews the highlights of Political Thinking in 2021 including interviews with leading politicians and public figures

The Ed Balls Christmas Special One from 2021-12-27T20:30

The former Cabinet Minister on his passion for cooking, dancing, documentary-making and his previous career in politics.

The Katharine Birbalsingh One from 2021-12-17T17:29

The Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on why she ‘came out’ as a conservative, the purpose of education and the perils of smartphones

The Liz Truss Foreign Secretary One from 2021-12-10T13:03

The Foreign Secretary on the ‘network of liberty’, those Mrs Thatcher-styled photoshoots and being too busy to hold Christmas parties

The Chris Bryant One from 2021-12-03T13:33

The Chair of the Commons Standards Committee on upholding the rules, being gay and why he could never have been 007

The Keir Starmer Opposition Leader One from 2021-11-26T14:35

The Labour leader on his family, the migrant boats crisis and why Boris Johnson makes him angry

The Nick Carter One from 2021-10-01T15:34

The Chief of the Defence Staff discusses the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, and being kicked out of his school's cadet force for playing golf.

The Rachel Reeves One from 2021-09-24T15:34

The Shadow Chancellor on learning from Labour’s defeats, playing aggressive chess and that ‘boring snoring’ Tweet

The Sajid Javid Health Secretary One from 2021-09-17T18:35

The Health Secretary on the reshuffle, health inequalities after the pandemic and a missing pair of scissors

The Jeffrey Donaldson One from 2021-09-10T14:22

The DUP leader on his fear of further unrest in Northern Ireland, what he learned from Boris Johnson and the Mountains of Mourne

The Tom Tugendhat Afghanistan One from 2021-09-03T15:41

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee Chair on shame, Afghanistan and Global Britain

The Oliver Dowden One from 2021-06-25T13:35

The Culture Secretary on culture wars, suburban values, football heritage and treading the boards

The Alok Sharma One from 2021-06-18T14:45

The COP26 President on the ‘decisive decade’ to tackle climate change, why Swampy runs Britain’s boardrooms and being Mr Boring

The Gordon Brown One from 2021-06-11T14:20

The former Prime Minister on tips for chairing the G7, footballers taking the knee and ‘not being silent’ on Scotland’s future

The Ed Miliband Reunion One from 2021-06-04T13:25

The Shadow Business Secretary and former Labour leader on thinking ‘big’, standing against his brother and emergency-charging his electric car

The Christina McAnea One from 2021-05-28T12:13

The Unison General Secretary on Red Clydeside, the art of negotiation and words of advice for Labour

The Kate Forbes One from 2021-05-21T13:05

The Scottish Finance Secretary on growing up in India, her faith and how another independence referendum will be fought

The Rachel de Souza One from 2021-05-14T13:35

The Children’s Commissioner on tackling failing schools, online safety and knowing your Aristotle

The Len McCluskey Election Special One from 2021-05-07T18:15

The Unite General Secretary on Labour’s electoral woes, Starmer’s ‘failure’ and the politics of football

The Jonathan Reynolds One from 2021-04-30T14:06

The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary on Labour’s ‘vast’ challenge, having an autistic child and why he would like to run Sunderland FC

The Justin Welby One from 2021-04-23T10:47

The Archbishop of Canterbury on being involved in politics, how leaders today are more moral than their predecessors, the need for reconciliation, and why he likes The West Wing

The Alistair Carmichael One from 2021-04-16T14:45

The longest-serving LibDem MP on the benefits of island life, why beef farming in Shetland shouldn’t be stopped by fears over global warming, working with Tories, and the perils of nationalism

The Jeane Freeman One from 2021-04-08T17:49

Scotland’s Health Secretary on her journey from communism via Labour to the SNP; why she says Alex Salmond is not fit to hold office; and what went wrong in Scotland’s care homes over covid

The Nadhim Zahawi One from 2021-04-01T12:18

The vaccines minister on fleeing Iraq, losing and making money, the role of entrepreneurs in vaccine development, and Shakespeare.

The Kwasi Kwarteng One from 2021-01-29T13:59

The new Business Secretary on whether he’s changed his mind on Thatcherite economics, his ‘Sunday’ name, views of Empire, and the quality of Nick’s interview research

The Michelle O'Neill One from 2021-01-21T15:12

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister and Sinn Fein leader discusses the likely impact of Joe Biden, her Irish Republican childhood and fighting covid

The Mark Sedwill One from 2021-01-15T16:41

The former Cabinet Secretary on handling crises, the end of the Trump era and speaking frankly to Boris

The Kate Bingham One from 2021-01-08T14:45

The former head of the Vaccine Taskforce on finding a vaccine, getting caught in the political crossfire and whether the UK can be ‘world-beating’

The Jake Berry One from 2020-12-18T12:42

The Conservative MP on a year of heartbreak, his friendship with the PM and his ambitions for the North

The Kate Green One from 2020-12-11T17:38

The Shadow Education Secretary on her despair at Jeremy Corbyn, abolishing Eton and reforming the honours system.

The Steve Rotheram One from 2020-12-04T14:13

The Liverpool Metro Mayor discusses his city’s image, Hillsborough, class politics, and why he did he a deal with Boris Johnson but won’t shake his hand

The Kemi Badenoch One from 2020-11-27T18:56

The Equalities Minister on redefining Black History Month, racial inequality and her love for Mrs Thatcher

The Siân Berry One from 2020-10-02T11:00

The Green Party co-leader on her childhood love of wildlife, taking on 4x4s and whether the Greens can change politics

The Simon Coveney One from 2020-09-25T16:30

The Irish Foreign Minister on his Anglo-Irish roots, the prospects for a Brexit deal and taking his centenarian grandmother to Lords

The George Eustice One from 2020-09-18T13:32

The Environment Secretary on the spirit of Poldark, answering questions for David Cameron and the price of fish fingers.

The Anneliese Dodds One from 2020-09-11T16:04

The Shadow Chancellor on her Presbyterian roots, being a student protestor and whether she’s prepared to say ‘no’

The Douglas Ross One from 2020-09-04T16:10

The new Scottish Conservative leader on football refereeing, his unusual knowledge of cattle and whether he can stop a second independence referendum

The Layla Moran One from 2020-07-24T10:54

The LibDem leadership contender discusses the meaning of liberalism, the threat of fat-shaming, and the common humanity of being stardust but not necessarily pansexual

The Thérèse Coffey One from 2020-07-17T13:43

The Work and Pensions Secretary on her Liverpudlian roots, applying science to politics, dealing with the rise in unemployment and her passion for karaoke

The Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds One from 2020-07-10T13:04

Labour's shadow home secretary on his village with seven MPs, the collective spirit of the Welsh valleys, what Michael Foot told him as a teenager, and his golfing name

The Mark Regev One from 2020-07-03T13:07

Israel's former ambassador to the UK on arguing his country's case, why he doesn't like being called 'silver-tongued', why he changed his name, and his reasons for optimism

The Neil Ferguson One from 2020-06-26T13:19

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'

The Robert Buckland One from 2020-06-19T13:46

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

The Maro Itoje One from 2020-06-12T11:43

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

The Arlene Foster One from 2020-06-05T19:08

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

The Jonathan Sumption One from 2020-05-29T13:14

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

The Jeremy Hunt covid one from 2020-05-22T15:55

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

The Mark Drakeford One from 2020-05-15T13:15

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

The Richard Horton One from 2020-05-07T18:13

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.

The new Keir Starmer one from 2020-04-06T13:12

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

The Rosena Allin-Khan One from 2020-03-13T17:45

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

The Rebecca Long-Bailey One from 2020-03-06T12:57

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

The Ian Murray One from 2020-02-28T17:13

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

The Inside Story of Election 19 One from 2020-02-17T16:35

A bonus episode, with Anne McElvoy's behind-the-scenes documentary about the 2019 election

The What Does Boris Johnson Really Think One from 2020-02-07T14:32

Pragmatist, libertarian or cakeist? Heathite or Trumpesque? Nick explores what drives the political views of Boris Johnson.

The Nigel Farage Brexit Day One from 2020-01-31T12:48

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

The Andy Street One from 2020-01-30T16:19

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

The Nicky Morgan One from 2020-01-23T14:56

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

The Lisa Nandy One from 2020-01-17T12:39

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

The Ben Wallace One from 2019-12-20T06:00

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'

The Prime Ministerial Debate One from 2019-12-07T16:45

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

The General Election One with Bartley and Hancock from 2019-12-04T12:07

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...

The General Election One with Gwynne and Curtice from 2019-11-27T17:59

Labour's campaign coordinator Andrew Gwynne discusses mental health, Waspi women and darts commentary, while John Curtice talks about exit polls and haircuts

The General Election One with Price and Cherry from 2019-11-21T16:39

Plaid Cymru's Adam Price and the SNP's Joanna Cherry on their personal journeys into politics and their ambitions for an independent Wales and Scotland

The General Election One with Tice and Ummuna from 2019-11-14T18:57

Chukka Ummuna and Richard Tice on big political risks, loyalty and election high stakes.

The Lindsay Hoyle One from 2019-11-07T06:00

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

The Laura Pidcock One from 2019-10-31T15:40

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

The Robert Jenrick One from 2019-10-25T09:28

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

The Sadiq Khan One from 2019-10-18T17:17

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

The Rishi Sunak One from 2019-10-11T13:28

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

The Grant Shapps One from 2019-10-03T13:28

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

The Ken Clarke One from 2019-09-27T15:37

The Father of the House on whether he still wants the top job, the politics of discord and finding relaxation through jazz

The Stephen Kinnock One from 2019-09-19T17:12

The Labour MP on being the son of a party leader, the husband of a prime minister, a difficult encounter with the Russian police, and why his colleagues should back a Brexit deal

The Jon Trickett One from 2019-09-13T11:58

The Shadow Commons Leader on how a conversation with his grandfather sparked his political ambition and why Labour shouldn't turn its back on Leave voters

The Alistair Burt One from 2019-09-05T13:08

The rebel Tory MP on the experience of being purged, how the Conservative Party is changing, and why Jacob Rees-Mogg should sit up straight in the Commons

The Ian Blackford One from 2019-07-26T11:00

The SNP's Westminster leader discusses strategy at PMQs, parliamentary manoeuvres over Brexit, and how to deal with a procedural fankle or a political stramash

The William Hague One from 2019-07-18T12:30

The former Foreign Secretary on why he thinks Parliament will prevent a no-deal Brexit, the threat to the Union and why he has no desire to return to frontline politics

The Harriet Harman One from 2019-07-11T10:30

The longstanding campaigner for women's rights on why the next Labour leader and the next Commons Speaker must be women, her plans for a podcast, and why she now talks to Tories

The Philip Hammond One from 2019-07-05T05:00

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

The Ed Davey One from 2019-06-28T16:33

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...

The Steve Barclay One from 2019-06-21T11:58

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

The David Lidington One from 2019-06-14T12:41

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

The Tory Leadership Campaign One from 2019-06-07T17:36

Nick reviews what contenders have said about their background and values on the Political Thinking podcast

The Jeremy Hunt One from 2019-05-31T11:10

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

The Michael Gove One from 2019-05-26T19:40

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.

The Helle Thorning-Schmidt One from 2019-05-23T21:00

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

The Stella Creasy One from 2019-05-17T11:50

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

The Sajid Javid One from 2019-05-10T15:35

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?

The Rory Stewart One from 2019-05-03T11:53

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

The Alastair Campbell One from 2019-04-26T16:07

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

The Jed Mercurio One from 2019-04-18T16:49

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

The Steve Baker One from 2019-04-12T13:48

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

The Geoffrey Cox One from 2019-04-04T21:30

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

The Oliver Letwin One from 2019-03-29T11:06

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?

The Greg Clark One from 2019-03-22T16:23

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.

The Esther McVey One from 2019-03-15T17:14

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

The Gavin Williamson One from 2019-03-08T12:53

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

The Tobias Ellwood One from 2019-03-01T12:05

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

The Luciana Berger One from 2019-02-22T13:45

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

The Gloria De Piero One from 2019-02-15T14:43

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.

The Jonathan Ashworth One from 2019-02-08T12:39

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

The Sir Graham Brady One from 2019-02-01T13:09

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

The David Miliband One from 2019-01-25T06:00

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

The Nick Boles One from 2019-01-18T14:08

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.

The Personal is Political One from 2019-01-04T06:00

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

The David Gauke One from 2018-12-21T06:00

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

The Hilary Benn One from 2018-12-14T14:31

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

The Justine Greening One from 2018-12-07T13:45

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

The James Brokenshire One from 2018-11-29T15:35

The Communities Secretary on his former life as a voiceover artist, dealing with cancer and his role in negotiating the Northern Ireland backstop.

The Diane Abbott One from 2018-11-23T13:12

The Shadow Home Secretary on why she's sure Brexit will happen next spring, how working at the Home Office got her into politics and why her staff persuaded her to talk about the online abuse she's...

The Mayday One from 2018-11-16T09:35

Behind the scenes on a day of turmoil, Nick explains all via banter with his colleagues, Jacob Rees Mogg, a shouting numismatist and a well-informed schoolgirl.

The Damian Hinds One from 2018-11-09T16:34

The Education Secretary on why we need to 'buckle up' as Brexit approaches, asking for more than 'little extras' for schools and why he used to carry a guitar pick in his pocket.

The Shaun Bailey One from 2018-11-02T15:19

The Conservative candidate for Mayor of London on his Jamaican mum, getting racist abuse from MPs and attending his first political meeting after a fight with a drug dealer.

The John McDonnell One from 2018-10-26T13:10

The Shadow Chancellor on whether the profit motive is moral, how he's now careful with his language, and why he became a Marxist not a priest.

The Amber Rudd One from 2018-10-19T13:21

The former Home Secretary on why civil servants let her down over Windrush, why she wants her old job back and the making of Four Weddings and a Funeral.

The Sir John Major One from 2018-10-11T11:18

The former PM on soapbox politics, why Universal Credit needs to change, dealing with his 'Maastricht bastards' and his sympathy for Theresa May.

The David Davis One from 2018-10-05T05:00

The former Brexit Secretary on his Communist grandfather, how sugar turned him into a Eurosceptic and why he blames Philip Hammond for problems in the Brexit negotiations.

The Andy Burnham One from 2018-09-28T12:21

The Mayor of Greater Manchester on why he blames social media for losing to Jeremy Corbyn and growing up in Manchester but never losing his Merseyside roots.

The Vince Cable One from 2018-09-21T12:18

The LibDem leader discusses spasms, how racism affected his family, his respect for Blair and Brown, the prospects for liberalism, and his future career - as a novelist

The Len McCluskey One from 2018-09-14T16:15

The Unite leader on the dangers of the gig economy, why he wouldn't weep if Tony Blair left the Labour Party, his enduring love of poetry and the end of a friendship.

The Tony Blair One from 2018-09-07T05:00

Tony Blair on his fears about how Labour has changed, his hopes on how Brexit could be stopped, and what it's like being followed all the time by bodyguards

Political Thinking returns next week from 2018-08-31T09:00

Nick Robinson looks forward to a momentous autumn.

Bonus podcast: Could the PM have a Brummie accent? from 2018-08-24T09:00

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Chris Mason presents an edition of Archive on 4 about the accents of politics and the politics of accents. Political Thi...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 3 from 2018-08-17T09:00

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Iain Watson presents the final episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He examines how the p...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 2 from 2018-08-10T09:00

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, the FT’s George Parker presents the second episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He explor...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 1 from 2018-08-03T09:00

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Steve Richards presents the first episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He examines the ye...

The Nia Griffith One from 2018-07-25T10:40

The Shadow Defence Secretary on learning Polish, how the classroom prepared her for frontline politics and Labour's wrangling over anti-Semitism.

The Liz Truss One from 2018-07-20T13:10

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury on why she's a 'freedom fighter', her penchant for British cheese and why any deal on Brexit 'doesn't bind future parliaments'.

The Andrea Leadsom One from 2018-07-13T12:51

The Commons Leader on backing Brexit, being baffled by Boris, being badmouthed by Bercow, boosting babies' brains and branding Big Ben.

The Dominic Raab One from 2018-07-05T15:06

The Housing Minister on ticking all the diversity boxes, coping with a divided household over the World Cup and negotiating the "rocky bridge" towards Brexit.

The Dominic Grieve One from 2018-06-29T13:41

The former Attorney General on his Anglo-French roots, efforts to stop a 'no deal' Brexit and challenging the actions of spooks

The Tommy Sheppard One from 2018-06-22T10:34

The SNP MP on when indyref2 might come, why his party walked out of the Commons and how he was knocked out of MasterChef

The Tom Watson One from 2018-06-14T10:12

Labour's Deputy Leader on how losing weight has lifted his 'brain fog', his fears when confronting Rupert Murdoch, and how he could now be 'taken out' by a former friend

The Andrew Adonis One from 2018-06-08T12:59

The Labour peer and self-proclaimed 'Remoaner' on why he thinks Brexit should be stopped, his ambition to become an MP and losing contact with his mother.

The Shakira Martin One from 2018-05-25T15:00

NUS President on how further education saved her, not wanting to sound like a politician (without denying political ambitions) and why it's polite to use jazz hands.

The Angela Rayner One from 2018-05-18T13:16

Labour's education spokesperson on being poor but not being "a scumbag", and whether she might become leader, plus London-centric politics, shoes and the Royal Wedding

The David Lammy One from 2018-05-11T13:47

The campaigning Labour MP on politicians standing up to "their bloody electorates", taking on the establishment over Grenfell and Windrush and how singing changed his life.

The James Graham One from 2018-05-04T15:39

The award-winning playwright on bringing politics to life, the magic of Hull, and why politicians are only human... plus, Nick's run-in with the Black Death.

The Dawn Butler One from 2018-04-27T14:19

The Shadow Equalities Secretary on her experiences of racism in Parliament, dealing with anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, and why she asks her constituents to pull their trousers up.

The Tom Tugendhat One from 2018-04-20T15:00

The soldier turned politician on talking to your enemies, surviving in the battlefield and taking responsibility when things go wrong.

The Jo Swinson One from 2018-04-13T16:52

The LibDem deputy leader says yes to an Easter egg but no to leading a new centre party, and also explains how she's changed her view on the best way to promote women in politics.

The Matt Hancock One from 2018-03-23T14:55

The Culture Secretary on controlling the power of the internet giants, why he wants his own personal app and how to win a horse race

The Brandon Lewis One from 2018-03-16T16:46

The Conservative Party chairman talks about popcorn, high street parking and whether he's too young to be a Tory

The Keir Starmer One from 2018-03-09T13:20

Labour's Brexit Secretary discusses the ups and downs of his upbringing, his youthful attacks on 'reformist passivity' and how he let burglars steal his television

The Jacob Rees-Mogg One from 2018-03-02T19:39

The leader of the Eurosceptics on the Tory backbenches talks about why the state should respect our individuality, when the gloves should come off in political debate and why we should keep persona...

The Anna Soubry One from 2018-02-23T20:15

From her tough school days to her backbench battle against the Brexiteers, the former criminal barrister tells Nick why she doesn't scare easy, how Theresa May can take back control and what could ...

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 3 from 2018-02-21T17:32

In this final part, Steve Richards explores the record of the coalition years, comparing David Cameron's approach with that of the current Prime Minister, Theresa May, also governing in a hung parl...

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 2 from 2018-02-14T12:30

Part Two focuses on David Cameron's mission to modernise and transform the Conservative party and its thinking, exploring ideas such as the Big Society, the major shake-up of education and health p...

The Paris Lees One from 2018-02-09T19:39

The journalist and transgender rights activist talks about growing up trans and why the way media debates trans issues makes her angry.

Bonus podcast: Cameron Years Episode 1 from 2018-02-07T17:56

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers, Steve Richards presents a series looking back at David Cameron's dramatic years in power. Part one explores the issue of Europe which overwhel...

The Sam Gyimah One from 2018-02-02T18:45

The new Universities minister talks about the importance of free speech on campus, growing up in Ghana, being Oxford president and life as David Cameron's bag carrier.

The Jess Phillips One from 2018-01-26T17:58

The straight-talking Brummie talks feminism, why pragmatism trumps principle and her unlikely friendship with Jacob Rees-Mogg

The James Cleverly One from 2018-01-19T18:49

The new Conservative Deputy Chairman recalls his parents' sacrifices, explains why it's ok to want to be PM and reveals how he relaxes with his toy soldiers.

The Ian Hislop One from 2018-01-12T17:39

The Private Eye editor and Have I Got News For You stalwart Ian Hislop talks about being a sceptic but not a cynic, his admiration for the Victorians' political energy and why the Eye's satirical j...

The Emily Thornberry One from 2018-01-05T16:50

From schoolgirl ragamuffin to queen of sass, the Shadow Foreign Secretary tells Nick how life’s challenges have forged her, and the benefits of singing. Will she perform for us?

The Unusual George Osborne One from 2017-12-15T12:52

George Osborne turns the tables and achieves his long-standing ambition - to interview Nick. Does he get his own back?

The Peter Tatchell One from 2017-12-08T19:06

The human rights activist talks about the long fight for LGBT equality, the importance of debate and free speech, and why love drives his campaigning.

The Dan Hannan One from 2017-12-01T19:14

The politician who some credit as the man behind Brexit tells Nick why it wasn't about immigration, how the British sometimes fail to appreciate what they have and why the UK should look to Switzer...

The Armando Iannucci One from 2017-11-24T18:35

The comedy brain behind The Thick of It, Veep and The Death of Stalin talks with Nick about the importance of language in politics, why comedy needs to be more like journalism and which one of them...

The Frances O'Grady One from 2017-11-17T18:48

The TUC leader tells us what the Remain campaign got wrong, why we were happiest in the 1970s, and what she does with her lunch break. But does she forgive Nick for using Uber?

The Chuka Umunna One from 2017-11-10T17:18

Can he block Brexit? Is he a Remaniac? Does he really think Jeremy Corbyn is like Harold Wilson? Why didn't he run for Labour leader? And is he happy to be a backbencher?

The Caroline Lucas One from 2017-11-03T17:49

How patriarchy works in Parliament, why her party's vision of a green economy is more radical than Jeremy Corbyn's, and when it's sometimes just too tough to go vegan.

The Rob Halfon One from 2017-10-27T19:20

Rob Halfon MP tells Nick why Conservatives need to radically reconnect with the people

The GO'D One from 2017-10-20T17:40

Gus O'Donnell, former top civil servant, on cabinet disunity and the problems of Brexit

The Ed Miliband One from 2017-10-13T14:03

Ed Miliband tells Nick his big ideas and wonders if he should have been a redder Ed.

The Ruth Davidson One from 2017-10-06T17:31

Nick discusses the implications of Theresa May's conference speech with Ruth Davidson

The Jon Lansman One from 2017-09-29T17:32

Jon Lansman talks to Nick about where Momentum could be taking the Labour party.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 03 Jun 2017 from 2017-06-03T11:06

Students, polls and politicians - with less than a week to polling day

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 27 May 2017 from 2017-05-27T10:45

George Osborne on the power of the press, Jacqui Smith on dealing with terrorism.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 20 May 2017 from 2017-05-20T10:50

Class politics or Blue Labour? Nick talks to Owen Jones and Maurice Glasman.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 13 May 2017 from 2017-05-14T07:19

What makes a good campaign manifesto - and how can pledges lead to future problems?

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 6 May 2017 from 2017-05-06T11:24

Nick examines election spending and looks at strategic options for the party campaigns

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 30 April 2017 from 2017-04-30T16:27

Nick reflects on the media coverage of the campaign and talks to the writer Paul Mason.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 22 Apr 2017 from 2017-04-22T06:00

Nick Robinson reflects on his interview with Theresa May and talks to William Hague

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 16 April 2017 from 2017-04-16T21:59

Is the NHS sustainable? Nick Robinson discusses whether it needs more money and reforms.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson 9 April 2017 from 2017-04-09T21:59

Is globalisation dead? Nick Robinson discusses its pros, cons and future prospects.