The Husam Zomlot One
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…
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
Behind the headlines and soundbites, what really forms the convictions of those in power? On Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, the veteran BBC broadcaster sits down for a different kind of political dialogue. This isn't about rapid-fire questioning or chasing the day's news cycle. Instead, each episode offers an extended, thoughtful conversation with a single influential figure. You'll hear from prime ministers and protest leaders, cabinet members and campaigners, alongside voices from business, unions, and international politics. They all join Nick in the studio to explore a more personal question: what experiences, ideas, and beliefs actually shaped their political thinking? The result is a series of revealing portraits that go beyond policy to understand the person behind the public role. Produced by BBC Radio 4, this podcast provides a rare space for depth and reflection, allowing listeners to grasp the human motivations driving our political landscape. Tune in for conversations that are both relaxed and profoundly insightful, shedding light on how our world is shaped one perspective at a time.
Episodes
The Daisy Cooper One
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…
The Mark Rowley One
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 l…
The Darren Jones One
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 Chance…
The Rupert Soames CBI One
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…
The Kemi Badenoch for Leader One
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 part…
The Matt Goodwin One
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, o…
The Tzipi Hotovely One
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 John Swinney One
The First Minister of Scotland sits down with Nick to reflect on his reluctant path to power.Producer: Daniel Kraemer
The Wes Streeting Health Secretary One
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 h…
