Net Zero has become a religion: Claire Coutinho on climate, identity and cooking

Net Zero has become a religion: Claire Coutinho on climate, identity and cooking

Author: BBC Radio 4 October 17, 2025 Duration: 42:05

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 Kraemer Research: Chloe Desave Sound: Jed Sudlow and Andy Mills Editor: Jonathan Brunert


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
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