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Artwork for Political Thinking

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes321Founded9 years ago
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PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Thinking

Latest Episodes

As the Burnham era dawns, the Leader of the Opposition on why it's time to transform her party, what would get her round the table with the new Prime Minister - and the people who believed in her when no one else did.

Producer: Hannah Wilkinson

As the country reels from the death of Reform's Ann Widdecombe, the party's Treasury Spokesman discusses the threat to politicians, debates whether calling politicians racists and traitors is dangerous, and explains why the ‘cosy club’ of politics is... more

The former Transport Secretary, sidelined by Keir Starmer, reveals she's been working with Burnham on a plan for government for at least a year, and has already seen the prospective Prime Minister make tough decisions. Also - bringing hope back to po... more

In his first interview since resigning from Keir Starmer's government, the former Defence Secretary John Healey talks about the threats we face, his hopes for a Burnham government, and why he thinks the Treasury is in denial.

Producer: Hannah Wilkin... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
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
Morgan McSweeney
Former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer
Labour Party/ Labour Together
Episode: What went wrong for Starmer: Morgan McSweeney gives his side of the story
Rhun ap Iorwerth
First Minister of Wales and Leader of Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
Episode: 'A bad start even before he starts' - Welsh First Minister on why trouble's brewing with Burnham
Steve Hilton
Former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron; Republican candidate for California Governor
California Governor Campaign / Fox News context mentioned
Episode: From Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State great again
Theodor Meron
Lawyer; former president of UN War Crimes Tribunals; advisor to ICC
International Criminal Court; UN War Crimes Tribunals
Episode: 'We need some daydreaming': lawyer Theodor Meron on surviving the Holocaust, and issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant
Richard Herman
Attorney General, government legal adviser
UK Government
Episode: Why Starmer will survive: The Attorney General on human rights, small boats, and his ‘dogged’ friend the Prime Minister
Mary Ann Stevenson
Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Episode: “Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still matters

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 Statesa month 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom7 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
#57
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#205
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#43
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#77
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#80
Spain/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her party
Q: Would you sit around a table with Andy Burnham to discuss reform, and under what conditions would that be constructive?
I'm open to constructive discussions that do not cut across conservative principles and require a credible plan; talks should be about shared goals like reducing waste and ensuring sustainable reform, not gimmicks.
"It's not a purge!" Kemi Badenoch on forging a future for her party
Q: Is there anything you think Labour's critique misses about your diagnosis of the last 40 years of policy, and what's your counter to neoliberal framing?
Labour misreads the core issue by blaming centralized governance rather than the fundamental need to grow the economy; the focus should be on enabling business, reducing red tape, and investing in people and infrastructure to raise living standards.
'Our donors are brave people': Reform's Robert Jenrick on wealth, power, and the establishment
Q: What is Reform UK's plan for the economy and welfare?
He outlines a pathway to reduce taxes and public spending with a focus on benefiting the middle 80% of earners, promising substantial welfare savings and a shift away from Thatcherite austerity toward policies he argues will raise living standards for working people.
“Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still matters
Q: What is the public perception challenge around Islamophobia and how is it addressed?
There is recognition of a real Islamophobia problem, but definitions and legal frameworks focus on anti-Muslim hostility; implementation and training for authorities need improvement to protect affected communities while safeguarding freedom of expression.
“Inequalities don’t happen by accident” Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson on trans rights, Islamophobia, and why equality still matters
Q: How does the EHRC navigate conflicts between rights, such as those of trans people and women?
By applying a proportional, rights-based framework that recognizes competing rights and emphasizes dialogue to find workable solutions rather than zero-sum battles.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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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Which podcasts are similar to Political Thinking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Thinking:

1. Political Currency
2. Radical
3. Newscast
4. The News Agents
5. Politics Unpacked

How many episodes of Political Thinking are there?

Political Thinking launched 9 years ago and published 321 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. Kemi Badenoch
2. Louise Haigh
3. John Healey
4. Morgan McSweeney
5. Rhun ap Iorwerth
6. Steve Hilton
7. Theodor Meron
8. Richard Herman

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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