Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

The President of the British Chambers of Commerce on his role as friend and critic of the new prime minister. Andy Haldane made his name as the "maverick" and "radical" Chief Economist at the Bank of England. Many thought he'd be brought into Andy Burnham's Downing Street as an adviser, but he opted to stay on the outside. He sits down with Nick the day after the Budget to reflect on some encouraging signs from the budget, but warns against pushing back the biggest decisions. He also reflects on how his working class upbringing in Sunderland formed his economic approach. -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards Sound: Andy Mills

From a childhood in India, to a new seat at Andy Burnham's cabinet table: what has shaped the man who is now tasked with shaping the UK's response to the world of AI? How did Kanishka Narayan go from sleeping on the floor in his family's one-bed flat in Cardiff, to Eton and Silicon Valley? Why does he think the UK can have an outsized voice on the world stage when it comes to global AI cooperation? And is he scared, daunted or excited by something that he says "exceeds the industrial revolution"? -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Steve Pontin and Hal Haines Editor: Jonathan Brunert

"I played it nicely in government. I should have been harder.' That is the reflection of the former Home Secretary, now Reform UK's education spokesperson, on her time at the top of government. Suella Braverman joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio, having sparked a row after saying "of course I'm not English" on Question Time. She explains what she actually meant and why she thinks accusations of racism against her are 'dangerous' -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

The former deputy Labour leader has been criticised for joining the controversial tech firm, Palantir, as it tries to persuade ministers not to cut off a huge NHS contract. How did the man who railed against Rupert Murdoch's media empire and Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook end up working for a Silicon Valley tech giant? Tom Watson accepts he's at the centre of a 'media storm', partly due to the firm's work with the Israel Defence Forces, and faces questions over the efficacy of Palantir's NHS software. He also reveals why he chose to stand down from the House of Commons before the start of the 2019 election campaign. -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

The man tasked with tackling youth worklessness joins Nick at the Labour conference in Liverpool. Alan Milburn has looked into the whites of the eyes of the prime minister and the chancellor, and believes they are on board with his upcoming 'manifesto for change,' aimed at solving the 'NEETs' crisis: young people not in education, employment or training. The veteran of the Blair cabinet is now one of the most powerful people behind the current government, and tells Nick how his own background inspired his passion for the subject. -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

The British director reflects today's political and social mood in his new film, The Uprising, about the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. Paul Greengrass tells Nick how the rage that led to the revolt in medieval England is similar to what he sees in society and politics today. He charts his journey from growing up in Gravesend, through documentary making for World in Action, to Hollywood stardom with the Jason Bourne films -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Andrew Mills and Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards

Tom Tugendhat on Trump's diplomacy, the Afghanistan withdrawal and being sanctioned by China Does the Shadow Foreign Secretary think Trump's remarks on Ireland and the Falkland Islands are serious? Why does he think China and Russia see the UK as 'not serious' And which language is the best to have an argument in? -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: James McNaughton-Brown and Hal Haines Editor: Giles Edwards

The Housing Secretary joins Nick for the first episode of a new series of Political Thinking. Angela Rayner talks about the change of character, personality and politics in Downing Street under new leadership. She opens up about how it felt to "lose the confidence of the people" after being accused of not paying the tax she owed. And she defends her decision to halt a huge local government reorganisation that had been started by her predecessor. -------- Send us your thoughts, reactions, questions and suggestions to politicalthinking@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Ged Sudlow and Andrew Mills Editor: Giles Edwards

As the Burnham era dawns, the Leader of the Opposition on why it's time to transform her party, what would get her round the table with the new Prime Minister - and the people who believed in her when no one else did. Producer: Hannah Wilkinson

As the country reels from the death of Reform's Ann Widdecombe, the party's Treasury Spokesman discusses the threat to politicians, debates whether calling politicians racists and traitors is dangerous, and explains why the ‘cosy club’ of politics is in for a shock. Producer: Hannah Wilkinson

The former Transport Secretary, sidelined by Keir Starmer, reveals she's been working with Burnham on a plan for government for at least a year, and has already seen the prospective Prime Minister make tough decisions. Also - bringing hope back to politics, navigating an exotic bird auction, and playing football in the House of Commons chamber. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Crossed Wires Festival in her home town of Sheffield. Producer: Hannah Wilkinson

In his first interview since resigning from Keir Starmer's government, the former Defence Secretary John Healey talks about the threats we face, his hopes for a Burnham government, and why he thinks the Treasury is in denial. Producer: Hannah Wilkinson

In his first ever interview, the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney lifts the lid on winning power, dealing with Trump, and how project Starmer fell apart. Producer: Hannah Wilkinson.

The new First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth on what Wales really wants, why Reform surged in the Senedd election, and how working as a nightclub bouncer will help him deal with Andy Burnham.

Former Tory adviser and candidate for California Governor Steve Hilton on the frustrations that drove his political journey and why he believes the Golden State can turn red.

International lawyer and judge Theodor Meron on issuing Netanyahu’s arrest warrant, and how daydreaming helped him to survive the Holocaust. This episode has been subject to a Corrections and Clarifications note: https://www.bbc.co.uk/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications

The Attorney General Richard Hermer speaks to Nick about small boats, his most controversial cases, and why his old friend Keir Starmer can survive a leadership challenge.

Chair of the equalities watchdog, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, on sex and gender, the right to protest, and doing one of the hardest jobs in Britain.

Labour leadership contender and former health secretary Wes Streeting on what prompted his resignation, the challenges of being a working class politician, and his wealth tax plan.

The former Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who was the first Minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government after the elections, discusses reaching breaking point, who should lead Labour now, and why she's terrified of where politics is going. She also talks about her experience as a civil servant working with Conservative Ministers, and why her children are her toughest critics. Senior Producer: Hannah Wilkinson Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Jack Wilfan Editor: Giles Edwards