Political Thinking with Nick Robinson - Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me

Download Shabana Mahmood: Racism, Asylum and Me

Why is the Home Secretary warning against leaving space for "darker forces"?

Shabana Mahmood sits down with Nick off the back of announcing sweeping changes to the asylum system in the UK.

Why did she decide to quote explicit racial abuse in the House of Commons? And how does she intend to avoid "ceding the territory of asylum to the far right"?

The Home Secretary reflects on how her Muslim faith plays a part in her job and sense of public service. And she reflects on the "humiliation" of the Downing Street briefing chaos.

Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Research: Chloe Desave
Sound: Ged Sudlow and Hal Haines
Editor: Jonathan Brunert

Published on Thursday, 20th November 2025.

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