Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

The Robert Jenrick One

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Housing Secretary on sleeping rough, owning homes, the Grenfell inquiry - and being the youngest cabinet minister

The Sadiq Khan One

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

London's Mayor on the benefits of boxing, why it's good to be friends with Tories, and his arguments with Donald Trump

The Rishi Sunak One

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Grant Shapps One

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ken Clarke One

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Father of the House on whether he still wants the top job, the politics of discord and finding relaxation through jazz

The Stephen Kinnock One

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 colleagu...

The Jon Trickett One

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 vo...

The Alistair Burt One

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Com...

The Ian Blackford One

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The SNP's Westminster leader discusses strategy at PMQs, parliamentary manoeuvres over Brexit, and how to deal with a procedural fankle or a political...

The William Hague One

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Harriet Harman One

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Philip Hammond One

05 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Ed Davey One

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberal Democrat leadership contender on why liberalism has a future (despite President Putin's comments), his call for a government of national u...

The Steve Barclay One

21 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Brexit Secretary on his Lancastrian roots, the 'challenges' facing the new PM and his days as a scrum-half

The David Lidington One

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

The Tory Leadership Campaign One

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nick reviews what contenders have said about their background and values on the Political Thinking podcast

The Jeremy Hunt One

31 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

The Michael Gove One

26 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Helle Thorning-Schmidt One

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The former Danish PM offers advice on life after office, dealing with populists and whether she wants to run the EU

The Stella Creasy One

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Labour MP on her mum's career advice, campaigning against payday lending and trying to avoid the Pythonesque giant foot of Brexit.

The Sajid Javid One

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ambi...

The Rory Stewart One

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The new International Development Secretary on his pitch for the top job, the climate change 'emergency' and the joy of walking

The Alastair Campbell One

26 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The People's Vote campaigner on dealing with depression, admiring Bill Clinton's speaking style and why Labour will be 'marmalized' at the European el...

The Jed Mercurio One

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The writer of Line of Duty and Bodyguard explains his approach to writing with authenticity about politics, the police and the NHS

The Steve Baker One

12 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Conservative Eurosceptic MP on righteous anger, herding tigers, not surrendering and why he's a left wing free marketeer

The Geoffrey Cox One

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Attorney General on the 'difficult birth' of Brexit, talking to Corbyn and why 'April is the cruellest month'

The Oliver Letwin One

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 tack...

The Greg Clark One

22 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ac...

The Esther McVey One

15 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The former Cabinet Minister on deciding to back May's deal, ensuring a 'dignified' exit for the PM and her Liverpudlian roots.

The Gavin Williamson One

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Defence Secretary on why the Prime Minister should go 'on and on', speaking plain Yorkshire and why he kept a tarantula.

The Tobias Ellwood One

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Defence Minister on escaping 'Carry On Brexit', Britain's place in the world and the personal impact of terrorism

The Luciana Berger One

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Gloria De Piero One

15 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Jonathan Ashworth One

08 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sir Graham Brady One

01 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee on delaying Article 50, championing grammar schools and where he keeps his safe.

The David Miliband One

25 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

David discusses Davos, his refugee parents, the case for another referendum, the future of British politics, and where he feels at home.

The Nick Boles One

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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.

The Personal is Political One

04 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nick reflects on what the personal interviews from the podcast over the last year reveal about the state of today's politics

The David Gauke One

21 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Justice Secretary on slaying unicorns, why he might quit the Cabinet and his overnight stay in prison.

The Hilary Benn One

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Justine Greening One

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The former cabinet minister on being a Rotherham Tory, breaking the class ceiling, why resigning from government preserved her self-respect, and the c...

The James Brokenshire One

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Communities Secretary on his former life as a voiceover artist, dealing with cancer and his role in negotiating the Northern Ireland backstop.

The Diane Abbott One

23 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

The Mayday One

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

The Damian Hinds One

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Shaun Bailey One

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Conservative candidate for Mayor of London on his Jamaican mum, getting racist abuse from MPs and attending his first political meeting after a fi...

The John McDonnell One

26 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Amber Rudd One

19 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Funer...

The Sir John Major One

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The former PM on soapbox politics, why Universal Credit needs to change, dealing with his 'Maastricht bastards' and his sympathy for Theresa May.

The David Davis One

05 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Andy Burnham One

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Vince Cable One

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The LibDem leader discusses spasms, how racism affected his family, his respect for Blair and Brown, the prospects for liberalism, and his future care...

The Len McCluskey One

14 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Tony Blair One

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 body...

Political Thinking returns next week

31 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Robinson looks forward to a momentous autumn.

Bonus podcast: Could the PM have a Brummie accent?

24 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 poli...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 3

17 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 2

10 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 serie...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 2

10 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 serie...

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 1

03 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers over the summer break, Steve Richards presents the first episode in the Radio 4 series, ‘The L...

The Nia Griffith One

25 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Defence Secretary on learning Polish, how the classroom prepared her for frontline politics and Labour's wrangling over anti-Semitism.

The Liz Truss One

20 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Andrea Leadsom One

13 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Commons Leader on backing Brexit, being baffled by Boris, being badmouthed by Bercow, boosting babies' brains and branding Big Ben.

The Dominic Raab One

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Housing Minister on ticking all the diversity boxes, coping with a divided household over the World Cup and negotiating the "rocky bridge" towards...

The Dominic Grieve One

29 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The former Attorney General on his Anglo-French roots, efforts to stop a 'no deal' Brexit and challenging the actions of spooks

The Tommy Sheppard One

22 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The SNP MP on when indyref2 might come, why his party walked out of the Commons and how he was knocked out of MasterChef

The Tom Watson One

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

The Andrew Adonis One

08 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 mot...

The Shakira Martin One

25 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Angela Rayner One

18 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 David Lammy One

11 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The campaigning Labour MP on politicians standing up to "their bloody electorates", taking on the establishment over Grenfell and Windrush and how sin...

The James Graham One

04 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Dawn Butler One

27 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Equalities Secretary on her experiences of racism in Parliament, dealing with anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, and why she asks her const...

The Tom Tugendhat One

20 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The soldier turned politician on talking to your enemies, surviving in the battlefield and taking responsibility when things go wrong.

The Jo Swinson One

13 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Matt Hancock One

23 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Brandon Lewis One

16 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Conservative Party chairman talks about popcorn, high street parking and whether he's too young to be a Tory

The Keir Starmer One

09 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Labour's Brexit Secretary discusses the ups and downs of his upbringing, his youthful attacks on 'reformist passivity' and how he let burglars steal h...

The Jacob Rees-Mogg One

02 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Anna Soubry One

23 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Th...

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 3

21 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this final part, Steve Richards explores the record of the coalition years, comparing David Cameron's approach with that of the current Prime Minis...

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 2

14 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Part Two focuses on David Cameron's mission to modernise and transform the Conservative party and its thinking, exploring ideas such as the Big Societ...

The Paris Lees One

09 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The journalist and transgender rights activist talks about growing up trans and why the way media debates trans issues makes her angry.

Bonus podcast: Cameron Years Episode 1

07 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In a bonus podcast for Political Thinking subscribers, Steve Richards presents a series looking back at David Cameron's dramatic years in power. Part ...

The Sam Gyimah One

02 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The new Universities minister talks about the importance of free speech on campus, growing up in Ghana, being Oxford president and life as David Camer...

The Jess Phillips One

26 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The straight-talking Brummie talks feminism, why pragmatism trumps principle and her unlikely friendship with Jacob Rees-Mogg

The James Cleverly One

19 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 so...

The Ian Hislop One

12 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

The Emily Thornberry One

05 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From schoolgirl ragamuffin to queen of sass, the Shadow Foreign Secretary tells Nick how life’s challenges have forged her, and the benefits of sing...

The Unusual George Osborne One

15 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

George Osborne turns the tables and achieves his long-standing ambition - to interview Nick. Does he get his own back?

The Peter Tatchell One

08 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 Dan Hannan One

01 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Armando Iannucci One

24 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Frances O'Grady One

17 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

The Chuka Umunna One

10 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Caroline Lucas One

03 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Rob Halfon One

27 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Halfon MP tells Nick why Conservatives need to radically reconnect with the people

The GO'D One

20 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Gus O'Donnell, former top civil servant, on cabinet disunity and the problems of Brexit

The Ed Miliband One

13 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Miliband tells Nick his big ideas and wonders if he should have been a redder Ed.

The Ruth Davidson One

06 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Nick discusses the implications of Theresa May's conference speech with Ruth Davidson