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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
NHS
Immigration Policy
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes329Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Thinking

Latest Episodes

The President of the British Chambers of Commerce on his role as friend and critic of the new prime minister.

Andy Haldane made his name as the "maverick" and "radical" Chief Economist at the Bank of England.

Many thought he'd be brought into Andy ... more

From a childhood in India, to a new seat at Andy Burnham's cabinet table: what has shaped the man who is now tasked with shaping the UK's response to the world of AI?

How did Kanishka Narayan go from sleeping on the floor in his family's one-bed fla... more

"I played it nicely in government. I should have been harder.'

That is the reflection of the former Home Secretary, now Reform UK's education spokesperson, on her time at the top of government.

Suella Braverman joins Nick in the Political Thinking ... more

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

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Recent Guests

Kanishka Narayan
UK minister responsible for artificial intelligence and Labour MP for Vale of Glamorgan
UK Government
Episode: 'We can't leave it to tech bros and oligarchs': AI minister Kanishka Narayan
Suella Braverman
Former Home Secretary and Reform UK's education spokesperson
Reform UK
Episode: Suella Braverman: 'I'm not imposing my idea of Englishness on anyone else'
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

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 States3 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 Kingdom5 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
#25
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#60
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#142
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#143
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#65
New Zealand/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'We can't leave it to tech bros and oligarchs': AI minister Kanishka Narayan
Q: What does that mean for what we all have to be ready for? What scale of challenge?
Narayan says AI is not currently displacing jobs at scale in Britain, but increasingly capable models could affect many kinds of work. He argues that Britain should prepare for this change and build future jobs at home rather than lose ground to countries moving faster.
'We can't leave it to tech bros and oligarchs': AI minister Kanishka Narayan
Q: Are you scared by it, excited by it, daunted by it?
Narayan says he feels all three and wants to shape AI in the British public's interests by addressing its risks, economic and social opportunities, and the need to build technology in the UK.
Suella Braverman: 'I'm not imposing my idea of Englishness on anyone else'
Q: Do you now think he might have been right?
Asked whether Enoch Powell was right, Braverman says mass immigration has been disastrous, while distinguishing the scale and context of recent immigration from that of the 1960s and 1970s.
Suella Braverman: 'I'm not imposing my idea of Englishness on anyone else'
Q: Which of those words is a fair description?
Braverman says Conservative colleagues despised her and called her mad, and describes a false claim about her mental health as a hurtful smear.
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.

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Thinking:

1. Political Currency
2. Radical with Gabriel Gatehouse
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 329 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. Kanishka Narayan
2. Suella Braverman
3. Tom Watson
4. Alan Milburn
5. Paul Greengrass
6. Tom Tugendhat
7. Angela Rayner
8. Kemi Badenoch

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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