Nick Robinson has a conversation with, not an interrogation of, the people who shape our political thinking about what shaped theirs.

The Anas Sarwar One

George Freeman

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

The George Freeman One

Louise Casey

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.

The Louise Casey One

Peter Kyle

How does a politician with the reading age of an 8-year-old operate as a Shadow Cabinet member?

The Peter Kyle One

Feargal Sharkey

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 Feargal Sharkey One

Stephen Flynn

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.

The Stephen Flynn One

Penny Mordaunt

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.

The Penny Mordaunt One

Suella Braverman

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.

The Suella Braverman One

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.

The Lee Anderson One

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.

The Kwajo Tweneboa One

Nick has what it takes to ask thoughtful, insightful questions that bring out the essence of his guests.

A question of experience

Nick Robinson gives a great weekly take on the behind the scenes manoeuvrings at Westminster while also doing a good job of teasing out the more human side of his guests.

Highly recommended

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Jed Mercurio

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

The Jed Mercurio One

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.

Bonus podcast: Corbyn’s Labour Episode 1

Armando Iannucci

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 Armando Iannucci One

Tom Tugendhat

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

The Tom Tugendhat One

David Lammy

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 David Lammy One

David Miliband

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

The David Miliband One

William Hague

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 William Hague One

Anna Soubry

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.

The Anna Soubry One

Nick Boles

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 Nick Boles One

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 Mayday One

Len McCluskey

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.

The Len McCluskey One

John Major

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

The Sir John Major One

Keir Starmer

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 Keir Starmer One

Dominic Raab

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 Dominic Raab One

Tom Watson

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 Tom Watson One

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.

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 2

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.

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?<br><br>The series was produced by Leala Padmanabhan.

Bonus Podcast: Cameron Years Episode 3

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.

Bonus podcast: Cameron Years Episode 1

George Osborne

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

The Unusual George Osborne One

Jo Swinson

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 Jo Swinson One

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.

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The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!