x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

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

news politics

All Episodes

42:09

John Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2026/01/09

What is the Scottish First Minister's secret for getting Donald Trump's attention?Nick is in Edinburgh to sit down with John Swinney, at the start of a year of big elections across the UK, including for the Scottish Parliament.He has been at the top of SNP-led government's for almost all of the last 19 years. He is now asking for another five years, with the hope of securing a new independence referendum.In this conversation, Swinney talks about how he charmed Donald Trump, reflects on a dangerous

en

47:15

Jordan Bardella: The 30-year-old populist hoping to...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/12/10

An exclusive interview on immigration, racism, Russia, Farage and Trump.Jordan Bardella is the leader of National Rally in France, and currently leading the polls to become president in 2027 if his mentor, Marine Le Pen fails to overturn a conviction that bars her from running for office. In the meantime, he is on a mission to persuade people that his party has changed since its history as the National Front, founded in the 1970s by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a convicted racist and Holocaust-denier. Can he

en

46:00

Kemi Badenoch: Shooting from the hip

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/11/28

Why did the leader of the opposition call the chancellor 'spineless' and 'shameless'?Kemi Badenoch joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on what lay behind the personal and political debates around Budget Day.How can she emulate Margaret Thatcher's regeneration of the Conservative Party?How did anger help drive her into politics? And why do her kids wish she still worked at McDonald's?Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe Desave Editor: Jonathan Brunert Sound: Ged Sudlow and

en

49:07

Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/11/20

Why is the Home Secretary warning against leaving space for "darker forces"?Shabana Mahmood sits down with Nick off the back of announcing sweeping changes to the asylum system in the UK.Why did she decide to quote explicit racial abuse in the House of Commons? And how does she intend to avoid "ceding the territory of asylum to the far right"?The Home Secretary reflects on how her Muslim faith plays a part in her job and sense of public service. And she reflects on the "humiliation" of the Downing

en

38:48

'I'm preparing for government': Plaid Cymru leader...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/11/14

Can Plaid Cymru replace Labour as the party of power in Wales next year? Rhun ap Iorwerth, the party's leader, thinks so. Rhun ap Iorwerth joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to talk about how his parents' passion for Welsh heritage and language formed the basis for his vision for the country. They explore Welsh identity and the anti-monarchy spirit that inspired the name of his teenage band.Also on the agenda: immigration, mispronunciations, and Robbie Williams.Producer: Daniel

en

47:39

'I like it when people underestimate me': Lib Dem...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/11/07

Ed Davey warns Starmer against handing Reform UK 'the keys into 10 Downing Street'Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe Desave Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills Editor: Giles Edwards

en

47:57

Life after Labour: Zarah Sultana on Palestine, Farage...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/10/31

How a trip to the West Bank in her teens set the Coventry MP on a path into politics.Zarah Sultana joins Nick in the studio a few weeks before the launch of her new party with Jeremy Corbyn.In the interview, they discuss her positions on NATO, the state of Israel, seeking power, and why she likened her relationship with Corbyn to the Gallagher brothers.Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards

en

48:43

Gaza, Trump and me: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/10/24

Driving through Gaza is like "driving through the ruins of Hiroshima, or Stalingrad, or Dresden"Tom Fletcher has been the United Nations humanitarian chief for almost a year and speaks to Nick two weeks into his organisation's efforts to get as much aid as possible into the Gaza Strip.He gives a behind-the-scenes account of how he works with the Trump White House and how the ceasefire deal was struck in Sharm el-Sheikh.Fletcher also shares his lessons learned from his years as foreign adviser to

en

42:05

Net Zero has become a religion: Claire Coutinho on...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/10/17

The Shadow Energy Minister has transformed her party's approach to climate policy.In this extended conversation, Claire Coutinho sets out what changed her mind on net zero, a shift that has brought her into fierce debates with her opposite number, Ed Miliband. She also shares her feelings about what she calls a rising "ethno-nationalism" on the right of British politics, as well as her reaction to her colleague Robert Jenrick's comments about Birmingham. Nick asks how she ended up being sacked by

en

44:57

Free Speech Tsar: Arif Ahmed on how to avoid the...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/10/10

How do you protect and police freedom of speech on campus and in society?Arif Ahmed is a Cambridge Philosopher who is now responsible for enforcing new freedom of speech rules on universities, colleges and students.He took office at a time when there is particular focus on a vexed question: where the boundary should lie between free speech - which should be protected - and speech that threatens, intimidates and leaves people feeling unsafe, which can and should be restricted.He talks to Nick about

en

43:47

Bridget Phillipson on life as education secretary

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/10/02

One of the two candidates to be deputy leader of Labour joins Nick at the end of party's conference in Liverpool.Bridget Phillipson opens up about how her own experience of poverty informs her political views on childcare, schools and universities. She also reveals her DJ set-listProducer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards

en

43:29

Preparing Farage for Power: Danny Kruger on defecting...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/09/26

Danny Kruger had been at the heart of the Conservative Party since it was led by David Cameron, until he decided that party was "over".He is now a Reform UK MP and has been tasked with preparing the party for government. He sits down with Nick to explain why we need a "revival" of Christian conservatism.Producer: Daniel KraemerReserach: Chloe Desave Sound: Ged Sudlow and Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards

en

42:22

Lucy Powell: People have lost sense of Labour's values

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/09/17

Lucy Powell on why and how she was sacked by Keir Starmer, and why she now wants to be his Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Producer: Daniel KraemerEditor: Giles Edwards

en

36:55

'Build Baby Build': The new housing secretary, Steve...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/09/12

Steve Reed was given the job of Housing Secretary as the result of crisis, after the resignation of his close friend Angela Rayner.But he has been part of the inner circle preparing Keir Starmer's rise to power from the beginning, having recruited the man who ended up as the prime minister's Chief of Staff.In this interview, he gives Nick a behind-the-scenes account of coming to power and the "whirlwind" of an emergency reshuffle.They also discuss how to reconnect with the voters, putting up flags

en

49:53

China, Russia and us: Tony Radakin on four years as...

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/09/05

An exclusive exit interview with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin on the week he steps down as the UK's military chief.Radakin's time as head of the armed forces was dominated by responding to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.As he leaves, he is adamant that the UK is "safe" and that the war has been a "disaster" for Putin.He also talks about the recent show of military strength in China and what it was like serving four UK prime ministers.Producer: Daniel KraemerResearcher: Lauren Tavriger Studio

en

34:03

The Friedrich Merz One

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/07/18

The German Chancellor speaks candidly about Trump's attitude to Europe, war on the continent, and the future relationship BritainProducer: Daniel KraemerResearcher: Chloe Desave Editor: Giles Edwards

en

33:33

The Josh Babarinde One

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/07/11

The Lib Dem Justice Spokesperson managed to persuade ministers to change domestic abuse law within a year of being elected to parliament. Josh Babarinde tells Nick how his own childhood experience spurred him on to push for reform. He also explains how a beer mat persuaded him to join the Liberal Democrats.Producer: Daniel Kraemer

en

46:31

The Keir Starmer Prime Minister One

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/07/04

After some of the most tumultuous days of his premiership, Keir Starmer sits down with Nick in Downing Street, to reflect on a year in power. In a wide-ranging interview, the prime minister defends his style of leadership, while taking responsibility for the setbacks.He also opens up about losing his brother last year and his personal relationship with President TrumpProducers: Daniel Kraemer, Leela Padmanabhan and Chloe Desave

en

31:27

Trump's America: The Scott Perry One

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/06/27

A Republican Congressman outlines the values that lie behind his conservative politics.Scott Perry is the Representative for Pennsylvania's 10th District, a Trump ally, an Iran hawk who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and a veteran, who flew combat missions in Iraq before turning his attention to politics.He joins Nick down the line from Washington DC, in the aftermath of his President's decision to drop bombs on Iran. Perry tells the story of how he went from growing up in a household with

en

43:09

The Douglas Alexander One

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson ·

2025/06/20

The Trade Minister explains how a penalty shootout played a role in his government appointment.Douglas Alexander has the same job that he had 20 years ago in Tony Blair's government. He reflects on how the world has changed in that time, and his motivation for returning to politics after a humiliating defeat in 2015.

en

56 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci