Political Thinking with Nick Robinson: Recent Episodes
BBC Radio 4
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
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 in for a shock.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
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 politics, navigating an exotic bird auction, and playing football in the House of Commons chamber.
Recorded in front of a live audience at the Crossed Wires Festival in her home town of Sheffield.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson
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 Wilkinson
In his first ever interview, the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney lifts the lid on winning power, dealing with Trump, and how project Starmer fell apart.
Producer: Hannah Wilkinson.
The new First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth on what Wales really wants, why Reform surged in the Senedd election, and how working as a nightclub bouncer will help him deal with Andy Burnham.
Former Tory adviser and candidate for California Governor Steve Hilton on the frustrations that drove his political journey and why he believes the Golden State can turn red.
International lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust.
This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications note:https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
The Attorney General Richard Hermer speaks to Nick about small boats, his most controversial cases, and why his old friend Keir Starmer can survive a leadership challenge.
Chair of the equalities watchdog, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, on sex and gender, the right to protest, and doing one of the hardest jobs in Britain.
Labour leadership contender and former health secretary Wes Streeting on what prompted his resignation, the challenges of being a working class politician, and his wealth tax plan.
The former Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who was the first Minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government after the elections, discusses reaching breaking point, who should lead Labour now, and why she's terrified of where politics is going.
She also talks about her experience as a civil servant working with Conservative Ministers, and why her children are her toughest critics.
Senior Producer: Hannah WilkinsonProducer: Flora MurraySound: Jack WilfanEditor: Giles Edwards
Few people have done more to shape politics in recent months than the Green Party Leader in England and Wales, Zack Polanski. In his Political Thinking debut, he tells Nick Robinson about his 'whirlwind' journey since becoming leader, saying that becoming PM is now 'in his mind' . He talks about his upbringing and Jewish identity and why he has now become a prominent critic of Israel. He explains his strong opposition to the war in Iran. He describes his plans to transform the capitalist model with a revolution based on 'Zackonomics'.And, asked about his earlier career as a hypnotherapist, he admits to 'cringing' when reminded that he once participated in a trial to help a woman increase her breast size.
Producers: Leela Padmanabhan and Flora MurrayEditor: GIles Edwards
Andrew Griffith on why government sometimes has to say 'no' and why Rupert Murdoch was the "best boss".
The Shadow Business Secretary was once the youngest Chief Financial Officer of any major British company, when he worked at Sky, before becoming an MP an joining Boris Johnson's team in Downing Street.
Senior Producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurrayEditor: Giles Edwards
The Foreign Affairs Committee Chair on Iran, Trump's 'asteroid of awfulness' and the 'grief' she felt after being dropped by Starmer.
Emily Thornberry tells Nick about how her father's career as a UN peacekeeper helped shape her commitment to the ideals of international law.
She also has frank views about what her party needs to do to stem the rise of the Green Party.
Senior Producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurraySound: Jack WilfanEditor: Giles Edwards
The British-Iranian comic on revolutions, Kensington, 9/11 jokes, King Charles and Iran's future.
Omid Djalili has become one of the loudest voices in the Iranian diaspora calling for the overthrow of the regime in Tehran, in favour of US military action.
While the world waits for Trump's next steps, Djalili talks to Nick about growing up in a hub of London's Iranian community, chasing history from Berlin to Czechoslovakia, deciding to perform in Saudi Arabia and turning down Game of Thrones
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora MurraySound: Jack WilfanEditor: Giles Edwards
What links Bridget Jones to social media regulation?
The answer: Baroness Beeban Kidron. In 2004 she directed the Bridget Jones sequal. 20 years later, she became one of the most vocal campaigners for regulation of social media and tech in the UK.
She joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to tell her story, from joining Marxist dinner parties in her childhood home, to filming and living with the protesters of Greenham Common in the 1980s.
Today, she has strong words for Keir Starmer's government, and is pushing for law-changes from her seat in the House of Lords.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora MurrayEditor: Giles Edwards
A frank conversation with the leader of Reform UK.
Nigel Farage has put his party on a "general election war footing" and says he is preparing for power.
What has his party still got to learn before they're ready?
Who is he referring to when he talks about putting "our own people first"?
And what made him change his mind and return to politics?
Senior Producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurrayEditor: Giles EdwardsSound: Ged Sudlow
This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications note: https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
James Graham joined Nick in the political thinking studio in late January, ahead of a this year's TV adaptation of his play Dear England.
What did Gareth Southgate get right about national identity?
What advice does the playwright have for Keir Starmer on storytelling?
And why is it important that people continue to go to the theatre?
Senior Producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurraySound: Ged Sudlow and Hal HainesEditor: Giles Edwards
How did the world heavyweight champion end up running a city of 3 million people in wartime?
Vitali Klitschko joins Nick from the Ukrainian capital in the midst of a Russian campaign to descimate the city's energy infrastructure.
He talks about what peace could look like, the lessons he learned from living under Soviet rule as a child, and why he decided to abandon a lucrative life in the US to enter Ukrainian politics.
Senior producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurraySound: Ged Sudlow Editor: Giles Edwards
What happens when US Vice President Vance goes drinking with Angela Rayner & David Lammy?
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary knows America better than probably anyone else around the cabinet table. And in this interview he reflects at length on the state of the world and the significance of the US president's Greenland threats.
David Lammy gives an impassioned defence against critics who question his friendship with Vice President J D Vance and reflects on his life's journey from Tottenham to Harvard.
He also discusses the ongoing row over jury trial reforms, potential upcoming by-elections, and Keir Starmer government's storytelling.
Senior Producer: Daniel KraemerProducer: Flora MurraySound: Hal Haines and Chris MurphyEditor: Giles Edwards
The National Education Union's general secretary on banning social media, strikes and race
Daniel Kebede says he is "completely aligned" with Kemi Badenoch on social media policy but warns that the Labour government is on a "collision course" with teachers over pay and conditions.
Why does a former minister describe him as "disarming" while the press brand him as "militant" and a "hardened protester"?
Nick also presses Kebede on the blocking of a Jewish Bristol MP from visiting a school, past comments about Israel, and whether taxpayers can afford further pay rises for teachers.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Flora MurraySound: Stephen PontinSound mixing: Robin SchroderEditor: Giles Edwards
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 world, and opens up about the pressures on his family life.
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Flora MurraySound: Fiona FairmanerEditor: Giles Edwards
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 succeed?
In this interview, Bardella responds to Donald Trump's criticism of Europe, rejects challenges on racism and explains why he is in London to meet with Nigel Farage
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Leela PadmanabhanResearch: Lisa LouisTranslation: Pierre-Antoine DenisAdditional translation: Merlyn Thomas, Erwan RivaultSound editing: Craig KinghamEditor: Giles Edwards
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 DesaveEditor: Jonathan BrunertSound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills
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 Street briefing chaos.
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveSound: Ged Sudlow and Hal HainesEditor: Jonathan Brunert
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 KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveEditor: Leela Padmanabhan
Ed Davey warns Starmer against handing Reform UK 'the keys into 10 Downing Street'
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveSound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew MillsEditor: Giles Edwards
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 DesaveEditor: Giles Edwards
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 Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveEditor: Giles EdwardsSound: Hal Haines and Ged Sudlow
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 Nigella Lawson, and sets up a future dinner party with Miliband.
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveSound: Jed Sudlow and Andy MillsEditor: Jonathan Brunert
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 why he ended up so passionate about this subject, and warns of society falling into an "abyss" of political violence.
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveSound: Ged Sudlow and Fiona FairmanerEditors: Giles Edwards and Leela Padmanabhan
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-list
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearch: Chloe DesaveEditor: Giles Edwards
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 DesaveSound: Ged Sudlow and Hal HainesEditor: Giles Edwards
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
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 and who he'll have to fight to succeed in building the homes that Labour has promised
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearcher: Chloe DesaveSound editing: Hal HainesEditor: Giles Edwards
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 TavrigerStudio Manager: Gareth JonesEditor: Giles Edwarnds
The German Chancellor speaks candidly about Trump's attitude to Europe, war on the continent, and the future relationship Britain
Producer: Daniel KraemerResearcher: Chloe DesaveEditor: Giles Edwards
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
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 Trump
Producers: Daniel Kraemer, Leela Padmanabhan and Chloe Desave
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 no electricity or running water, to being elected to the "most important deliberative body on the planet".
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.
The Shadow Chancellor sets out his vision for a more "thoughtful" politics and faces up to the challenge of winning the argument before the next general election.
Sir Mel Stride reveals what he admires about his opposite number, Rachel Reeves, and why a world war two commander is one of his political heroes.
He also has a warning about what the British economy would look like under Nigel Farage.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
How does it feel to be held up as the 'anti-Trump' by progressives across the globe?
Jacinda Ardern was prime minister of New Zealand for 6 years and is now committed to promoting empathy and kindness in world leadership.
She joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on her unexpected rise to power and being described as a 'global pinup for progressive values'.
She also opens up about how growing up in a Mormon family prepared her for politics and reveals what she told Donald Trump in the aftermath of the murder of 51 people in a mosque in New Zealand in 2019.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
After 15 years as a member of the House of Lords, Tanni Grey-Thompson reflects on how a career at the top of sport prepared her for the world of politics.
The crossbench peer speaks to Nick about what she sees as a dangerous relationship between benefit reforms and legalising assisted dying.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The First Minister of Wales sets a marker to the left of Keir Starmer, setting out her vision of a "Red Welsh Way", drawing inspiration from Gavin and Stacey.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Reform UK’s deputy leader reflects on a year of political success, a privileged upbringing and the cabinet job he’s eyeing up
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, former president Joe Biden sits down with Nick Robinson for an exclusive interview, his first since leaving the White House.
He issues a stark warning about the future of the western alliance and criticises his successor’s approach to foreign policy.
In this extended interview, Biden also reflects on his decision to drop out of the 2024 election and the state of democracy in the US.
Producers: Kirsty MacKenzie, Daniel Kraemer and Daniel MacadamEditor: Giles Edwards
In the second, bonus instalment of this exclusive interview with the former prime minister, Rishi Sunak opens up about his time as Chancellor and Prime Minister, including how his relationship with Boris Johnson fell apart, why he regrets his "Stop the Boats" slogan and what comes next for someone who has become an elder statesman, aged 44.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Joel Massey
An exclsuive in-depth interview with the Rishi Sunak. In this first instalment, the former prime minister tells stories from behind the scenes on the world stage explains why he thinks we must now cut welfare spending to fund defence.
Sunak reflects on how a sense of duty - inspired by his Hindu faith - helped drive his political career, and reflects on how and why he ultimately led the Conservative Party to the worst electoral defeat in its history.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Joel Massey
The Transport Secretary on Corbyn, Ukraine and growing up in Swindon
Producer: Lauren Tavriger
The Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on how he went from being a teacher at a school for kids with beahvioural problems, to being the leading voice on prison conditions.
He tells stories of cheap suits, perspex windows, being the subject of offensive graffiti, and explains how he retains optimism.
Producers: Lauren Tavriger and Daniel Kraemer
Who is the 38-year-old, Muslim, second-generation immigrant chairman of Reform UK?
Zia Yusuf joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to tell his story, lay out his party's path to power, and share his thoughts on Boris Johnson, Elon Musk, Suella Braverman and his boss, Nigel Farage.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Shadow Home Secretary joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on mistakes of the last government, humility in opposition and his anger at the new government.
Chris Philp also opens up about the impact of caring for his premature baby twins and what he has learned from success and failure in business.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Labour MP sits down with Nick to reflect on how she went from selling beds in her Yorkshire hometown, to being at the forefront of political debate, as the face of the campaign to legalise assisted dying, and how the murder of her sister, Jo Cox, helps explain the journey.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Chancellor reflects on her first six months in power and what lies behind her determination that she has "what it takes" to "turn things around".
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Nick Robinson speaks to Sir Nick Clegg about life as Mark Zuckerberg's right hand man at Meta and the transition from Westminster to Silicon Valley.
He responds to challenges on regulation of social media companies and issues a warning about the political power of Elon Musk.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK reflects on a childhood in a Gaza refugee camp and how hope is what keeps him going.
Update: This episode has been edited to remove a brief exchange suggesting that an interim finding by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found it plausible that genocide had been committed in Gaza. The ICJ actually decided that the Palestinians had a plausible right to be protected from genocide and we’re happy to make that clear.
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats reflects on her journey from campaigning as a child against nuclear weapons and scratchy jumpers, to being at the heart of the third-largest party in parliament.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner reflects on the decision to rejoin the UK's largest police force when it was in crisis.
Sir Mark Rowley sits down with Nick Robinson to outline the challenges the Met faces under his leadership, as well as how he decided as a teenager that policing was his mission.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury sits down with Nick to chart his rise to the heart of Starmer's government.
How did a Bristol boy, whose parents sometimes went without meals to ensure he had food, end up at the Chancellor's side, in charge of the purse-strings of the government?
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
How did Churchill's grandson end up at the top of British industry?
Rupert Soames - Chair of the Confederation of British Industry - sits down with Nick Robinson to talk about this Labour government's first budget, which he claims did not offer enough "bang for the buck"
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
What shaped the views and principles that Kemi Badenoch hopes will help her win the race to become next leader of the Conservative Party?
Nick Robinson sits down with the former Business Secretary near the end of her party's leadership contest.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The academic and author Matt Goodwin sat down with Nick Robinson in the aftermath of the riots that spread across the UK in the summer, to discuss whether there are 'legitimate grievences' that lay behind the violence, or just 'hate-fuelled mob violence sparked by misinformation.
The Israeli Ambassador sits down with Nick Robinson on the week of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.They discuss what lies behind her worldview, the mindset of Israelis and the actions of her government.
The Scottish First Minister sits down with Nick to reflect on his path to power
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Health Secretary sits down with Nick Robinson at the end of the Labour conference in Liverpool.
Wes Streeting reflects on how his family role-models led him to become a political fighter, rebukes those who criticise him for being too gloomy about the NHS, and reveals why an Oasis classic was his kareoke song of choice at the previous night's party.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Mick Whelan is General Secretary of Aslef, the union representing train drivers.
He sits down with Nick on the week that his members voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer, bringing to an end two years of strike action.
Whelan reflects on growing up in working class West London and being one of a number of 2nd-generation Irish immigrants who have become union leaders in the UK. Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Why does the former Home Secretary believe he has 'outperformed everyone else on this leadership ticket by a country mile'? How did growing up as a mixed-race boy in London at the height of the National Front shape his politics? And what does the government need to do to improve integration in the UK?
The Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court sits down with Nick Robinson.
Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Jonathan Brunert
Nick Robinson talks to the new Work and Pensions secretary about being at the centre of the Labour government's first row, taking on the scourge of worklessness and how her 2-year-old son is a cure for stress.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Nick Robinson talks to the man at the heart of the new Downing Street government.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Bestselling author and columnist talks to Nick Robinson about why, after years of writing about women and girls, she decided to turn her attention to problems with boys and young men with her latest book "What About Men?"
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
After a damning report into maternity services in England, the Health Secretary opens up about her own traumatic childbirth experience in the NHS.
Victoria Atkins also speaks to Nick Robinson about a change of tone in dealings with doctors' unions, growing up as child of an MP and what she thought when Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour.
Nigel Farage tells Nick Robinson that "timing is everything" when it comes to deciding whether to return to frontline politics.Fresh off the plane from Florida, Farage talks about what he can learn from - and how he can defend - Donald Trump, as well as islamophobia, Liz Truss, and what he would do if prime minister
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
One of the world's most influencial progressive economists outlines her pitch to leaders across the world - and Starmer's Labour Party - to focus on ambitious 'missions' that can transform society for the better.
The Deputy Chair of the British Medical Association Council talks to Nick Robinson ahead of the latest round of junior doctor strikes.
She defends the pay demands set out by doctors, tells the story of a life of activism, and opens up about the horrors of working in Covid wards at the height of the pandemic.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Shadow Justice Secretary and Labour's most senior Muslim MP reflects on Gaza, her faith and campaigning for Rishi Sunak's "geek vote" when they were at university
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Nick looks back at his 2021 conversation with the new First Minister of Northern Ireland
Nick Robinson sits down with the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the dining room of No11 Downing Street. They discuss living nextdoor to the Sunaks, how much headroom he will have at the budget, and who he would invite to his dream dinner party
Sir Tony Blair and Lord William Hague sit down with Nick Robinson to discuss their vision for a new "national purpose". They reflect on facing each other across the dispatch box 25 years ago and how to deal with an unstable world
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The First Minister of Scotland sits down with Nick Robinson in Glasgow to reflect on his first ten months in power and how his family is dealing with the ongoing trauma of being caught up in the war in Gaza
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The former Defence Secretary opens up about the impact of high-pressure government jobs on family relations and tells the behind-the-scenes story of the lead-up to the Ukraine War and his take on the “poison” in British politics.
Nick Robinson sits down with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to discuss multiculturalism, transgender rights and challenging the UK government on its asylum policies.
Nick Robinson sits down with the Levelling Up Secretary for an in-depth conversation about what lies behind his drive for reform, having first joined the cabinet 13 years ago. They also reflect on community tensions in the UK as a result of war in the Middle East, what the Home Secretary has said about protests, and what Nadine Dorries has written about him
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Labour's campaign chief talks to Nick Robinson about how to deal with divisions with in the party, communities and families on events in the middle east. And how has he become the "great survivor" of the party, from working as Tony Blair's backroom fixer in the 90s to running Labour's election campaign?
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology talks to Nick Robinson about the UK's AI summit and how the world can balance protection against AI's dangers and harnessing it for good.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Poland's former foreign minister talks to Nick Robinson about his journey from rebelling against communist rule as a child, living in exile in the UK, being a leading diplomat, and his party on the brink of returning to power after 8 years
The Schools Minister tells Nick Robinson how his single-minded curriculum reform has kept him in his job for 10 of the last 13 years, and how his sexuality might have limited his career prospects
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, now behind the scenes in Just Stop Oil, challenges Nick Robinson to emotionally engage with the reality of climate change and take a stand against global inaction
The Leader of the Opposition sets out his vision for getting Labour back into government
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Liberal Democrat leader talks to Nick Robinson about caring for his disabled son, the value of coalitions in politics and why the prime minister's net zero strategy 'hands the future to China'
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
Nick Robinson talks to the boss of the TUC ahead of hosting his first Congress in his hometown of Liverpool, what it was like working with ministers during Covid and why we need a national conversation on tax
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
The Science minister talks to Nick Robinson about how his troubled childhood instilled conservative values from a young age and the challenge of dealing with buccaneering tech billionaires
Lord Daniel Finkelstein talks to Nick Robinson about what it is like preparing Conservative leaders for PMQs and how having two refugee parents shaped his politics of 'moderation'
Baroness Louise Casey has become one of the most influencial non-politicians in the UK. She tells Nick Robinson why it all started with a passion for homelessness and what might be next on her list.
How does a politician with the reading age of an 8-year-old operate as a Shadow Cabinet member?
The former Undertones frontman tells Nick how his youth in Derry during the Troubles led him to becoming one of the most prominent environmental campaigners in Britain today.
The SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, on what he will demand in the event of a hung Parliament, and how living with a disability shaped his politics.
Penny Mordaunt reveals the secret to holding that sword throughout the Coronation, whether she’s planning another tilt at the Conservative leadership and being PM, and why culture wars may not be such a good idea for her party.
In the week the government introduced tough, controversial new rules on stopping illegal immigrants entering the UK, Nick Robinson talks to the home secretary, Suella Braverman, about her father's journey to Britain while fleeing persecution in Kenya, how her mum's admiration for Margaret Thatcher introduced her to the Conservative Party and how she, as the wife of a Jewish man, feels when people compare her policies with those of 1930s Germany.
Nick Robinson talks to the Conservative Party's deputy chairman, Lee Anderson, about following his father's lead in becoming a miner, how he went from admiring Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill to being deputy chairman of the Conservatives and whether his new job is forcing him to be more diplomatic when talking about issues such as migration and poverty.
Nick Robinson talks to the housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa about his own experience of poor social housing and his father's death, how he harnessed the power of social media to become a powerful voice in Westminster and whether he fancies a go at elected politics himself.
Nick Robinson talks to the shadow justice secretary, Steve Reed, about why the collapse of a factory that employed most of his family led to him joining the Labour Party, how being mugged at knifepoint helped inform his new approach to antisocial behaviour and why he thinks the parentsof young offenders should be sent to mandatory parenting classes.
Nick Robinson talks to the influential lobbyist and new chair of Stonewall, Iain Anderson, about how the case of Isla Bryson has brought gender politics to the top of the news agenda and how he thinks the heat can be taken out of the debate. Anderson, a lifelong Conservative who founded the lobbying firm Cicero and ran Ken Clarke's leadership campaigns, talks candidly about why he's now moving away from his political roots.
Nick Robinson talks to the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, Mary Bousted, about how her headteacher father inspired a passion for education, why she quit her job as an English teacher and whether, in a week of widespread teacher strikes, she can see the current crisis coming to an end anytime soon.
Nick Robinson talks to the director general of the Confederation of British Industry, Tony Danker. They discuss what it was like to grow up in a Jewish family in Belfast during 'The Troubles', why he chose to join the Treasury three weeks after Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008 and how his calls for post-Brexit Britain's economy to grow more led to ministers accusing him of talking the country down.
The leader of the Unite union gives a frank and engaging interview to Nick Robinson. She defends the new wave of strikes by ambulance workers, sets out how under her leadership Unite is 'following the money' to target bad employers and explains why Keir Starmer's Labour party is a 'bad tribute act' to Tony Blair and reveals she was threatened by former colleagues when she began an investigation into 'potential criminality' within the union. She tells stories from her early life, including how she led a walkout of silver service restaurant staff aged just 17 in a protest over pay.
A bonus episode, as Nick tells the extraordinary inside story of how Liz Truss gambled her premiership on a dramatic challenge to decades of orthodoxy.
Nick Robinson talks to Labour's shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, about her mum standing up to the people that burgled their house, her grandad's love of books sparking her passion for education and how she ended up as an extra on Byker Grove.
Nick Robinson talks to the chief executive of Citizens Advice, Clare Moriarty, about her and her family's long history with the civil service, how she coped with having cancer while running the Brexit department and what more the government needs to do to help people suffering in the cost of living crisis.
Nick Robinson talks to the Green Party's co-leader, Carla Denyer, about discovering grassroots campaigns at sixth form, declaring Europe's first climate emergency and why she chooses to wear both a red and white poppy.
Nick Robinson talks to the new education secretary, Gillian Keegan, about leaving school at 16 to work in a car factory, the time Derek Hatton bought her a glass of champagne and why sometimes cabinet ministers should just admit it when they don't know something.
Nick Robinson talks to Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, about how her own experience of poverty has shaped her views on the cost of living crisis, her relationship with Labour's leader Keir Starmer and whether working class politicians need to shout louder about their roots.
Nick Robinson revisits his interview with the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, from late 2019. The then-chief secretary to the treasury discussed working in his mother’s pharmacy, why he chose to vote Leave and his knowledge of The Force
Nick Robinson talks to Conservative peer David Frost, the former chief Brexit negotiator, about Boris Johnson's potential return as Prime Minister, the downfall of Liz Truss and how he went from foreign office diplomat to Brexit architect
Nick Robinson talks to Lisa Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, about preparing for government, the political lessons she's learned from football and whether she disagrees with Keir Starmer's stance on strikes.
Nick Robinson talks to Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, about attacks from the left and right on so-called economic orthodoxy, how to stay impartial during moments of political turbulence and what his self-proclaimed nerdy teenage self would make of his career now.
Nick Robinson talks to the new education secretary, Kit Malthouse, about growing up in Liverpool, battling Labour students at university and his priorities for education in England.
Nick Robinson talks to the new education secretary, Kit Malthouse, about growing up in Liverpool, battling Labour students at university and his priorities for education in England.
Nick Robinson talks to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn about how he became a socialist, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and whether he'll be allowed to stand again as a Labour candidate.
Nick Robinson talks to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn about how he became a socialist, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and whether he'll be allowed to stand again as a Labour candidate.
Nick Robinson talks to Christopher Steele, the author of the 'Trump-Russia dossier'. They discuss his time as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, how he became an overnight public figure and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nick Robinson talks to Christopher Steele, the author of the 'Trump-Russia dossier'. They discuss his time as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, how he became an overnight public figure and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nick Robinson talks to Christopher Steele, the author of the the 'Trump-Russia dossier'. They discuss his time as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, how he became an overnight public figure and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nick Robinson talks to Christopher Steele, the author of the the 'Trump-Russia dossier'. They discuss his time as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, how he became an overnight public figure and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
Nick Robinson revisits his interview with the new prime minister, Liz Truss, from July 2018. The then-chief secretary to the treasury discusses her transition from Lib Dem to Conservative, her plans for a low-tax, small state UK and comparisons with Mrs Thatcher.
Nick Robinson revisits his interview with the new prime minister, Liz Truss, from July 2018. The then-chief secretary to the treasury discusses her transition from Lib Dem to Conservative, her plans for a low-tax, small state UK and comparisons with Mrs Thatcher.
Nick Robinson revisits his interview with Liz Truss from December 2021. The foreign secretary discusses facing down Russia on the global stage, the way we view British history and comparisons with Mrs Thatcher
Nick Robinson revisits his interview with Rishi Sunak from November 2019. The then-chief secretary to the treasury discusses working in his mother’s pharmacy, why he chose to vote Leave and his knowledge of The Force
With Boris Johnson having resigned as Conservative leader, Nick Robinson takes a look through the Political Thinking archives, to see what has shaped the thinking of the men and women hoping to become the UK’s next prime minister
Nick Robinson talks to the shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, about loneliness, belonging and Britain's place in the world
Nick Robinson talks to the journalist and founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, about his love of numbers, the cost of living crisis and his application to become a crossbench peer
Nick Robinson talks to Naomi Long, the leader of the Alliance Party and Northern Ireland's Justice Minister, about growing up during the Troubles, the ongoing implications of Brexit and her decision not to identify as nationalist or unionist
Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.
Nick Robinson talks to the government's social cohesion adviser, Dame Sarah Khan, about her efforts to counter extremism and the upcoming review of the Prevent counter-terror strategy
Nick Robinson speaks to Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, about his union's planned strike action this summer
Nick Robinson speaks to Nimco Ali, the government's adviser on violence against women and girls about her campaigning on female genital mutilation, calls for street harassment to be made a crime and her friendship with Carrie Johnson.
Nick Robinson speaks to the Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries MP about her efforts to clean up social media, her upbringing in Liverpool, and being a bestselling author.
Producer: Jack Fenwick.
Nick Robinson talks to Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg about the Prime Minister's survival, cake, dead cats and banned words
Nick Robinson talks to Conservative MP Steve Baker about the PM, the pandemic and parachutes
Nick Robinson talks to Gary Neville about his footballing career, the state of English football and his own political ambitions
The Shadow Health Secretary on bouncing back after illness, living with Covid and his connection to Christine Keeler
Nick Robinson reviews the highlights of Political Thinking in 2021 including interviews with leading politicians and public figures
The former Cabinet Minister on his passion for cooking, dancing, documentary-making and his previous career in politics.
The Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on why she ‘came out’ as a conservative, the purpose of education and the perils of smartphones
The Foreign Secretary on the ‘network of liberty’, those Mrs Thatcher-styled photoshoots and being too busy to hold Christmas parties
The Chair of the Commons Standards Committee on upholding the rules, being gay and why he could never have been 007
The Labour leader on his family, the migrant boats crisis and why Boris Johnson makes him angry
The Chief of the Defence Staff discusses the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, and being kicked out of his school's cadet force for playing golf.
The Shadow Chancellor on learning from Labour’s defeats, playing aggressive chess and that ‘boring snoring’ Tweet
The Health Secretary on the reshuffle, health inequalities after the pandemic and a missing pair of scissors
The DUP leader on his fear of further unrest in Northern Ireland, what he learned from Boris Johnson and the Mountains of Mourne
The Culture Secretary on culture wars, suburban values, football heritage and treading the boards
The COP26 President on the ‘decisive decade’ to tackle climate change, why Swampy runs Britain’s boardrooms and being Mr Boring
The former Prime Minister on tips for chairing the G7, footballers taking the knee and ‘not being silent’ on Scotland’s future
The Shadow Business Secretary and former Labour leader on thinking ‘big’, standing against his brother and emergency-charging his electric car
The Unison General Secretary on Red Clydeside, the art of negotiation and words of advice for Labour
The Scottish Finance Secretary on growing up in India, her faith and how another independence referendum will be fought
The Children’s Commissioner on tackling failing schools, online safety and knowing your Aristotle
The Unite General Secretary on Labour’s electoral woes, Starmer’s ‘failure’ and the politics of football
The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary on Labour’s ‘vast’ challenge, having an autistic child and why he would like to run Sunderland FC
The Archbishop of Canterbury on being involved in politics, how leaders today are more moral than their predecessors, the need for reconciliation, and why he likes The West Wing
The longest-serving LibDem MP on the benefits of island life, why beef farming in Shetland shouldn’t be stopped by fears over global warming, working with Tories, and the perils of nationalism
Scotland’s Health Secretary on her journey from communism via Labour to the SNP; why she says Alex Salmond is not fit to hold office; and what went wrong in Scotland’s care homes over covid
The vaccines minister on fleeing Iraq, losing and making money, the role of entrepreneurs in vaccine development, and Shakespeare.
The new Business Secretary on whether he’s changed his mind on Thatcherite economics, his ‘Sunday’ name, views of Empire, and the quality of Nick’s interview research
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister and Sinn Fein leader discusses the likely impact of Joe Biden, her Irish Republican childhood and fighting covid
The former Cabinet Secretary on handling crises, the end of the Trump era and speaking frankly to Boris
The former head of the Vaccine Taskforce on finding a vaccine, getting caught in the political crossfire and whether the UK can be ‘world-beating’
The Conservative MP on a year of heartbreak, his friendship with the PM and his ambitions for the North
The Shadow Education Secretary on her despair at Jeremy Corbyn, abolishing Eton and reforming the honours system.
The Liverpool Metro Mayor discusses his city’s image, Hillsborough, class politics, and why he did he a deal with Boris Johnson but won’t shake his hand
The Equalities Minister on redefining Black History Month, racial inequality and her love for Mrs Thatcher
The Green Party co-leader on her childhood love of wildlife, taking on 4x4s and whether the Greens can change politics
The Irish Foreign Minister on his Anglo-Irish roots, the prospects for a Brexit deal and taking his centenarian grandmother to Lords
The Environment Secretary on the spirit of Poldark, answering questions for David Cameron and the price of fish fingers.
The Shadow Chancellor on her Presbyterian roots, being a student protestor and whether she’s prepared to say ‘no’
The new Scottish Conservative leader on football refereeing, his unusual knowledge of cattle and whether he can stop a second independence referendum
The LibDem leadership contender discusses the meaning of liberalism, the threat of fat-shaming, and the common humanity of being stardust but not necessarily pansexual
The Work and Pensions Secretary on her Liverpudlian roots, applying science to politics, dealing with the rise in unemployment and her passion for karaoke
Labour's shadow home secretary on his village with seven MPs, the collective spirit of the Welsh valleys, what Michael Foot told him as a teenager, and his golfing name
Israel's former ambassador to the UK on arguing his country's case, why he doesn't like being called 'silver-tongued', why he changed his name, and his reasons for optimism
The leading epidemiologist on how science and politics can best work together, being forced to resign from a government committee, and his media nickname of 'Professor Lockdown'
The Justice Secretary on loneliness in politics, kneeling, how courts respond to covid, and why there is no such thing as 'normal' - plus he demonstrates his love of music
The leading England rugby player on racism, Black Lives Matter, statues, finding middle ground, the diversity of Harrow School, and being impressed by Keir Starmer
Northern Ireland's First Minister on what happened to her family during the Troubles, her discussions with Boris Johnson over Brexit, and what she's missed most during lockdown
The former Supreme Court justice on why lockdown is 'despotic', being a libertarian, not being a politician, what Lord Hutton's inquiry got wrong and what Keith Joseph got right
Jeremy Hunt talks about making mistakes, learning from Asia, his dispute with the junior doctors, and the trials of family life
Wales's First Minister on tackling the virus, working with Boris & digging the allotment
The editor of the Lancet discusses problems in the relationship between science and politics, why he thinks the lockdown must go on, and whether he is really a headline chaser.
Labour's new leader Keir Starmer talks about his background, upbringing, legal career and core values (in an interview recorded in 2018)
The Labour deputy leadership candidate and doctor on being prepared for coronavirus, why she chose politics and that Love Actually video
The Labour leadership candidate on her Mancunian roots, why she didn't go into politics straight away and raising her eyebrows
The Labour deputy leadership candidate on uniting Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, saving Hearts FC and why Labour has to recover in Scotland if it is ever to win in Westminster again
A bonus episode, with Anne McElvoy's behind-the-scenes documentary about the 2019 election
Pragmatist, libertarian or cakeist? Heathite or Trumpesque? Nick explores what drives the political views of Boris Johnson.
The leading Brexit campaigner on the lessons he learnt as a City trader, what he thought of the 1975 referendum, and how he changed the 2019 election
The Mayor of the West Midlands on his passion for HS2, why he nearly became a social worker and encouraging mavericks
The Culture Secretary on why she went from Remainer rebel to Boris loyalist, her decision to quit frontline politics and the uncertain future of the BBC
The Labour leadership candidate on her Liberal Grandfather, Marxist Dad, reviving towns and a love of Britney
The Defence Secretary on getting the MoD's house in order, how he discovered a ticking bomb and why Boris Johnson is a 'left-wing Tory'
A special edition with audio of Boris Johnson v Jeremy Corbyn, plus Nick's reflections after the debate
Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley reveals why an encounter with David Cameron led him into politics, while Health Secretary Matt Hancock discusses his loyalty to Boris Johnson and why he keeps his mobile phone at bay
Labour's campaign coordinator Andrew Gwynne discusses mental health, Waspi women and darts commentary, while John Curtice talks about exit polls and haircuts
Plaid Cymru's Adam Price and the SNP's Joanna Cherry on their personal journeys into politics and their ambitions for an independent Wales and Scotland
Chukka Ummuna and Richard Tice on big political risks, loyalty and election high stakes.
The new Speaker on how he'll be different from his predecessor, his Lancastrian roots and the roll call of his 'political' pets
Labour's shadow employment rights spokesperson discusses class politics, friends and enemies, and the commentariat
The Housing Secretary on sleeping rough, owning homes, the Grenfell inquiry - and being the youngest cabinet minister
London's Mayor on the benefits of boxing, why it's good to be friends with Tories, and his arguments with Donald Trump
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury on why the Wirral meeting may go down in history, loosening the purse strings and his knowledge of The Force
The Transport Secretary on planning for a no deal Brexit, using a spreadsheet to back Boris Johnson and why he's grateful to Ronald McDonald
The Father of the House on whether he still wants the top job, the politics of discord and finding relaxation through jazz
The Labour MP on being the son of a party leader, the husband of a prime minister, a difficult encounter with the Russian police, and why his colleagues should back a Brexit deal
The Shadow Commons Leader on how a conversation with his grandfather sparked his political ambition and why Labour shouldn't turn its back on Leave voters
The rebel Tory MP on the experience of being purged, how the Conservative Party is changing, and why Jacob Rees-Mogg should sit up straight in the Commons
The SNP's Westminster leader discusses strategy at PMQs, parliamentary manoeuvres over Brexit, and how to deal with a procedural fankle or a political stramash
The former Foreign Secretary on why he thinks Parliament will prevent a no-deal Brexit, the threat to the Union and why he has no desire to return to frontline politics
The longstanding campaigner for women's rights on why the next Labour leader and the next Commons Speaker must be women, her plans for a podcast, and why she now talks to Tories
The Chancellor on blocking a no-deal Brexit, spreading muck, the benefits of being dull, and the 'bizarre' feeling of finding himself on the far left of the Conservative party
The Liberal Democrat leadership contender on why liberalism has a future (despite President Putin's comments), his call for a government of national unity and why he wants his homework back from Ed Balls
The Brexit Secretary on his Lancastrian roots, the 'challenges' facing the new PM and his days as a scrum-half
The Deputy Prime Minister on doing PMQs, the Tory leadership battle and the dreaded 3am phone call, plus some Elizabethan history and a re-enactment of University Challenge
Nick reviews what contenders have said about their background and values on the Political Thinking podcast
The Foreign Secretary on his inner toughness, the biggest jolt he's received while in the cabinet, the genius of Japan, and how to have fun dancing the lambada - plus a taste test
The Environment Secretary on why he's running to be prime minister, how being adopted as a boy has influenced his thinking, and whether he can really be trusted.
The former Danish PM offers advice on life after office, dealing with populists and whether she wants to run the EU
The Labour MP on her mum's career advice, campaigning against payday lending and trying to avoid the Pythonesque giant foot of Brexit.
The Home Secretary explains how as a son of an immigrant bus driver he defied advice to become a banker and cabinet minister - but where will his ambitions take him next?
The new International Development Secretary on his pitch for the top job, the climate change 'emergency' and the joy of walking
The People's Vote campaigner on dealing with depression, admiring Bill Clinton's speaking style and why Labour will be 'marmalized' at the European elections unless it commits to a second referendum
The writer of Line of Duty and Bodyguard explains his approach to writing with authenticity about politics, the police and the NHS
The Conservative Eurosceptic MP on righteous anger, herding tigers, not surrendering and why he's a left wing free marketeer
The Attorney General on the 'difficult birth' of Brexit, talking to Corbyn and why 'April is the cruellest month'
A former Thatcherite with a record of gaffes, is he now usurping the role of prime minister or has he become a Mr. Fixit taking responsibility to tackle a national crisis?
The Business Secretary on why Theresa May's address to the nation 'wasn't a great success', finding common ground on Brexit and whether his name is actually Greg.
The former Cabinet Minister on deciding to back May's deal, ensuring a 'dignified' exit for the PM and her Liverpudlian roots.
The Defence Secretary on why the Prime Minister should go 'on and on', speaking plain Yorkshire and why he kept a tarantula.
The Defence Minister on escaping 'Carry On Brexit', Britain's place in the world and the personal impact of terrorism
The Independent MP on the trauma of leaving Labour, the stresses of facing anti-Semitism and the difficult process of forging a new political force
The Labour MP on why she dreamed of going to Skegness, the importance of listening to Leave voters and why her colleagues need to keep the faith.
The Shadow Health Secretary on coming to terms with his Dad's alcoholism, his fears over Brexit and why he's a Croslandite and not a Corbynite
The Chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee on delaying Article 50, championing grammar schools and where he keeps his safe.
David discusses Davos, his refugee parents, the case for another referendum, the future of British politics, and where he feels at home.
The Conservative MP on his plan to block a no-deal Brexit, why his time in Parliament may be up and why he now lives every moment.
Nick reflects on what the personal interviews from the podcast over the last year reveal about the state of today's politics
The Justice Secretary on slaying unicorns, why he might quit the Cabinet and his overnight stay in prison.
The Chair of the Brexit Committee on Theresa May's options, why he disagreed with his father's views on Europe and the art of keeping a diary
The former cabinet minister on being a Rotherham Tory, breaking the class ceiling, why resigning from government preserved her self-respect, and the case for another referendum
The Communities Secretary on his former life as a voiceover artist, dealing with cancer and his role in negotiating the Northern Ireland backstop.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The former PM on soapbox politics, why Universal Credit needs to change, dealing with his 'Maastricht bastards' and his sympathy for Theresa May.
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.
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.
The LibDem leader discusses spasms, how racism affected his family, his respect for Blair and Brown, the prospects for liberalism, and his future career - as a novelist
The Unite leader on the dangers of the gig economy, why he wouldn't weep if Tony Blair left the Labour Party, his enduring love of poetry and the end of a friendship.
Tony Blair on his fears about how Labour has changed, his hopes on how Brexit could be stopped, and what it's like being followed all the time by bodyguards
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Chris Mason presents an edition of Archive on 4 about the accents of politics and the politics of accents. Political Thinking returns next week.
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Iain Watson presents the final episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He examines how the party has been transformed into a mass movement and whether it can maintain momentum. Political Thinking will return in September.
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, the FT’s George Parker presents the second episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He explores Labour’s approach to the economy and how far reaching its policies will be. Political Thinking will return in September.
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, the FT’s George Parker presents the second episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He explores Labour’s approach to the economy and how far reaching its policies will be. Political Thinking will return in September.
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Steve Richards presents the first episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The Long March of Corbyn’s Labour’. He examines the year since the general election and looks at how Jeremy Corbyn has changed as leader. Political Thinking will return in September.
The Shadow Defence Secretary on learning Polish, how the classroom prepared her for frontline politics and Labour's wrangling over anti-Semitism.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury on why she's a 'freedom fighter', her penchant for British cheese and why any deal on Brexit 'doesn't bind future parliaments'.
The Commons Leader on backing Brexit, being baffled by Boris, being badmouthed by Bercow, boosting babies' brains and branding Big Ben.
The Housing Minister on ticking all the diversity boxes, coping with a divided household over the World Cup and negotiating the "rocky bridge" towards Brexit.
The former Attorney General on his Anglo-French roots, efforts to stop a 'no deal' Brexit and challenging the actions of spooks
The SNP MP on when indyref2 might come, why his party walked out of the Commons and how he was knocked out of MasterChef
Labour's Deputy Leader on how losing weight has lifted his 'brain fog', his fears when confronting Rupert Murdoch, and how he could now be 'taken out' by a former friend
The Labour peer and self-proclaimed 'Remoaner' on why he thinks Brexit should be stopped, his ambition to become an MP and losing contact with his mother.
NUS President on how further education saved her, not wanting to sound like a politician (without denying political ambitions) and why it's polite to use jazz hands.
Labour's education spokesperson on being poor but not being "a scumbag", and whether she might become leader, plus London-centric politics, shoes and the Royal Wedding
The campaigning Labour MP on politicians standing up to "their bloody electorates", taking on the establishment over Grenfell and Windrush and how singing changed his life.
The award-winning playwright on bringing politics to life, the magic of Hull, and why politicians are only human... plus, Nick's run-in with the Black Death.
The Shadow Equalities Secretary on her experiences of racism in Parliament, dealing with anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, and why she asks her constituents to pull their trousers up.
The soldier turned politician on talking to your enemies, surviving in the battlefield and taking responsibility when things go wrong.
The LibDem deputy leader says yes to an Easter egg but no to leading a new centre party, and also explains how she's changed her view on the best way to promote women in politics.
The Culture Secretary on controlling the power of the internet giants, why he wants his own personal app and how to win a horse race
The Conservative Party chairman talks about popcorn, high street parking and whether he's too young to be a Tory
Labour's Brexit Secretary discusses the ups and downs of his upbringing, his youthful attacks on 'reformist passivity' and how he let burglars steal his television
The leader of the Eurosceptics on the Tory backbenches talks about why the state should respect our individuality, when the gloves should come off in political debate and why we should keep personal morals separate from politics – and of course, Brexit.
From her tough school days to her backbench battle against the Brexiteers, the former criminal barrister tells Nick why she doesn't scare easy, how Theresa May can take back control and what could make her leave the Conservative Party.
In this final part, Steve Richards explores the record of the coalition years, comparing David Cameron's approach with that of the current Prime Minister, Theresa May, also governing in a hung parliament. He examines other key aspects of the Cameron era such as his relationship with the media, his handling of the Scottish independence referendum, and his dramatic final days in office. What will David Cameron's legacy be and what are the lessons of his premiership?
The series was produced by Leala Padmanabhan.
Part Two focuses on David Cameron's mission to modernise and transform the Conservative party and its thinking, exploring ideas such as the Big Society, the major shake-up of education and health policy, social reforms such as same-sex marriage and the ambition to make the party more environmentally conscious. We examine the impact of the financial crisis and "austerity" on the Cameron governments. We ask whether there is such a thing as "Cameronism" and we assess the success of David Cameron's mission to make the Conservatives more diverse and representative of modern Britain.
The journalist and transgender rights activist talks about growing up trans and why the way media debates trans issues makes her angry.
In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers, Steve Richards presents a series looking back at David Cameron's dramatic years in power. Part one explores the issue of Europe which overwhelmed his premiership.
The new Universities minister talks about the importance of free speech on campus, growing up in Ghana, being Oxford president and life as David Cameron's bag carrier.
The straight-talking Brummie talks feminism, why pragmatism trumps principle and her unlikely friendship with Jacob Rees-Mogg
The new Conservative Deputy Chairman recalls his parents' sacrifices, explains why it's ok to want to be PM and reveals how he relaxes with his toy soldiers.
The Private Eye editor and Have I Got News For You stalwart Ian Hislop talks about being a sceptic but not a cynic, his admiration for the Victorians' political energy and why the Eye's satirical journalism matters.
From schoolgirl ragamuffin to queen of sass, the Shadow Foreign Secretary tells Nick how life’s challenges have forged her, and the benefits of singing. Will she perform for us?
George Osborne turns the tables and achieves his long-standing ambition - to interview Nick. Does he get his own back?
The human rights activist talks about the long fight for LGBT equality, the importance of debate and free speech, and why love drives his campaigning.
The politician who some credit as the man behind Brexit tells Nick why it wasn't about immigration, how the British sometimes fail to appreciate what they have and why the UK should look to Switzerland as inspiration.
The comedy brain behind The Thick of It, Veep and The Death of Stalin talks with Nick about the importance of language in politics, why comedy needs to be more like journalism and which one of them was the bigger teenage political trainspotter.
The TUC leader tells us what the Remain campaign got wrong, why we were happiest in the 1970s, and what she does with her lunch break. But does she forgive Nick for using Uber?
Can he block Brexit? Is he a Remaniac? Does he really think Jeremy Corbyn is like Harold Wilson? Why didn't he run for Labour leader? And is he happy to be a backbencher?
How patriarchy works in Parliament, why her party's vision of a green economy is more radical than Jeremy Corbyn's, and when it's sometimes just too tough to go vegan.
Gus O'Donnell, former top civil servant, on cabinet disunity and the problems of Brexit
Nick reflects on the media coverage of the campaign and talks to the writer Paul Mason.
Is the NHS sustainable? Nick Robinson discusses whether it needs more money and reforms.