Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
BBC Radio 4
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 29, 2018 • 39min
The James Brokenshire One
The Communities Secretary on his former life as a voiceover artist, dealing with cancer and his role in negotiating the Northern Ireland backstop.
Nov 23, 2018 • 45min
The Diane Abbott One
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 received.
Nov 16, 2018 • 35min
The Mayday One
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.
Nov 9, 2018 • 46min
The Damian Hinds One
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.
Nov 2, 2018 • 43min
The Shaun Bailey One
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.
Oct 26, 2018 • 42min
The John McDonnell One
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.
Oct 19, 2018 • 40min
The Amber Rudd One
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.
Oct 11, 2018 • 45min
The Sir John Major One
The former PM on soapbox politics, why Universal Credit needs to change, dealing with his 'Maastricht bastards' and his sympathy for Theresa May.
Oct 5, 2018 • 52min
The David Davis One
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.
Sep 28, 2018 • 35min
The Andy Burnham One
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.
