Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

From Downing Street... to California Governor? Former Tory adviser Steve Hilton on making the Golden State great again

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Show Notes

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.

More from Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Oct 23, 2026

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 [email protected] Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Steve Pontin and Hal Haines Editor: Jonathan Brunert

Oct 16, 2026

"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 [email protected] Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

Oct 9, 2026

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 [email protected] Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

Sep 30, 2026

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 [email protected] Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Editor: Giles Edwards

Sep 24, 2026

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 [email protected] Senior Producer: Daniel Kraemer Producer: Flora Murray Sound: Andrew Mills and Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards

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