The Mel Stride One

The Mel Stride One

Author: BBC Radio 4 June 13, 2025 Duration: 37:41

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


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
Podcast Episodes
The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
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…
The Carla Denyer 2025 One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversation
The Heidi Alexander One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:41
The Transport Secretary on Corbyn, Ukraine and growing up in SwindonProducer: Lauren Tavriger
The Charlie Taylor One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:20
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, p…
The Zia Yusuf One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:06
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 Bori…
The Chris Philp One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
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 o…
The Kim Leadbeater One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:32
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…
The Rachel Reeves Chancellor One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
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
The Nick Clegg One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:24
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 i…
The Husam Zomlot One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:47
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…