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Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

BBC Radio 4
Labour Party
Brexit
Immigration
Conservative Party
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Reform UK
Russia
Gaza
Assisted Dying
Keir Starmer
Kim Leadbeater
Immigration Policy
NHS
NATO
Net Zero
Welfare Reform
Covid-19
UK Government
Rishi Sunak

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes326Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Political Thinking

Latest Episodes

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 the man who railed against Rupert Murdoch's media empire and Mark Zu... more

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 chancellor, and believes they are on board with his upcoming 'manifes... more

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 to the revolt in medieval England is similar to what he sees in socie... more

Tom Tugendhat on Trump's diplomacy, the Afghanistan withdrawal and being sanctioned by China

Does the Shadow Foreign Secretary think Trump's remarks on Ireland and the Falkland Islands are serious?

Why does he think China and Russia see the UK as '... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tom Watson
Former deputy leader of the Labour Party; UK vice president at Palantir
Palantir UK
Episode: Tom Watson: Don't bow to 'mob rule' on Palantir
Alan Milburn
Former UK Secretary of State for Health and former Labour minister
Labour Party
Episode: We're failing the next generation: Alan Milburn on getting young people into work
Paul Greengrass
Film-maker known for Bloody Sunday, United 93, The Bourne films, and The Uprising
Film industry
Episode: 'Can you not hear their rage?': Film-maker Paul Greengrass
Tom Tugendhat
Shadow Foreign Secretary (at the time of recording)
Conservative Party
Episode: "Weakness is provocative": Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat on the UK's role in the world
Angela Rayner
Housing Secretary, Labour MP
Labour Party
Episode: Angela Rayner on her return to the top table: 'It’s good to give people a second chance'
Kemi Badenoch
Leader of the Opposition (Conservative Party) in the episode context
Conservative Party
Episode: "It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her party
Robert Jenrick
Reform UK economic spokesman, former Conservative MP
Reform UK
Episode: 'Our donors are brave people': Reform's Robert Jenrick on wealth, power, and the establishment
Louise Haigh
Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam (historically referenced context suggests Sheffield Healy)
Labour Party
Episode: We've got a plan: Louise Haigh on her journey back to power
John Healey
Former Defence Secretary and Labour politician
Labour Party
Episode: The Treasury was in denial: John Healey on why he resigned as defence secretary

Host

Nick Robinson
Host of Political Thinking

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Solid interviews

    The Kemi Badenoch interview is especially good: solid questions, interesting pushback, but a spirit of amiability and mutual respect. I just discovered this podcast but am impressed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anglophile in Arcadia
    United States2 months ago
  • Interesting conversations

    Nick, thank you. I always enjoy listening to Political Thinking and the Today programme when you are hosting it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngeliqueHill
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • This is great

    Nick asks great questions to the guests also he makes it very interesting and intriguing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    helenkhan
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Sadly BBC bias.

    Robinson seems to give certain politicians a free ride and provides the interview a platform to air their views without challenge. For others he’s like an attack pit bull concentrating on the petty, constantly interrupting as he searches for the controversial sound bite. Sadly it’s typical BBC these days and why so many are cancelling their TV licenses.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Amused117
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Racheal from accounts

    Shame not to ask why her why her MP’s credit card was suspended if she’s apparently so frugal. Overspend of 4,000 of taxpayers money wasn’t it Racheal

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    walley26
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Documentary-style episodes offer rich storytelling beyond standard Q&A.
The host asks probing questions while staying respectful and engaging.
Thoughtful, nuanced interviews with a broad range of political figures.
Long-form format yields deeper context and memorable moments.
Some listeners feel occasional bias affects balance or tone.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#203
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#229
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#63
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#92
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tom Watson: Don't bow to 'mob rule' on Palantir
Q: Given the protests and concerns about ethics, why stay with Palantir and defend its work in the NHS?
He contends that the software is delivering tangible improvements in patient care and system efficiency, and that criticism should be directed at the numbers and governance rather than the entire platform. He emphasizes transparency, compliance with UK law, and a belief that technology can help reform public services when governed properly.
Tom Watson: Don't bow to 'mob rule' on Palantir
Q: What does Palantir actually do and why would a UK Labour government hire someone with deep experience in technology policy and public services?
Palantir provides data integration and management that enables different parts of the health system to securely share data, with an AI layer to help systems learn and improve, and the guest argues these tools can transform public services while meeting legal and ethical standards. He underscores that the company should be judged on outcomes and governance, not politics, and stresses the importance of a fair procurement process.
We're failing the next generation: Alan Milburn on getting young people into work
Q: What is the core problem Milburn identifies in the labour market for young people?
Milburn describes a systemic, long-term failure in education, welfare, and labour policies that prevents young people from accessing opportunities, arguing for structural reform rather than temporary fixes.
Angela Rayner on her return to the top table: 'It’s good to give people a second chance'
Q: How did personal experiences shape your political approach and your return to frontline politics?
Her background and family experiences inform her authenticity and commitment to public service, and she describes how resilience and a team-based approach shaped her decision to return.
Angela Rayner on her return to the top table: 'It’s good to give people a second chance'
Q: What went wrong under the previous leadership, and how do you view the current direction?
She suggests the prior leadership lacked clarity or preparation, and while she supports the new approach and leadership, she emphasizes staying true to Labour values and delivering concrete policy through a clear plan.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Political Thinking

What is Political Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

High-level interviews with leading political figures, policy makers, and thinkers about how their backgrounds shaped their worldviews and current views on governance. Episodes typically explore leadership decisions, policy trade-offs, and the realities of operating within or against party systems, often weaving personal anecdotes with wider questions about economy, security, equality, and international affairs. A standout feature is the relaxed, long-form style that invites nuanced discussion rather than quick-fire questions, which can reveal unexpected angles on familiar topics. The show often features cross-party perspectives, critical analyses of policy directions, and historically informed takes, making it useful for listeners who want ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Thinking:

1. Political Currency
2. Radical
3. Newscast
4. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of Political Thinking are there?

Political Thinking launched 10 years ago and published 326 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Political Thinking?

Recent guests on Political Thinking include:

1. Tom Watson
2. Alan Milburn
3. Paul Greengrass
4. Tom Tugendhat
5. Angela Rayner
6. Kemi Badenoch
7. Robert Jenrick
8. Louise Haigh

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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