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It's the morning after the Makerfield by-election and Andy Burnham's emphatic victory over Reform UK which will see the 'King of the North' march south to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Sarah and a slightly sleep-deprived Nigel discuss the result and what happens next.
We also consider a historic victory for the Conservatives in the Aberdeen South by-election, and Nigel gets on his soapbox to launch a campaign for more geeky explanations on TV election coverage.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
With just ten days to go before what we are obliged to call "the most important by-election in modern political history", Nigel and Sarah consider the lessons which Labour's Andy Burnham and Reform's Robert Kenyon might take from political history, with a look back at the Greenwich by-election of 1987.
We also discuss Andy Burnham's stumbling answer to questions about the government's fiscal rules and why he wants to be Prime Minister, which reminded Nigel of a certain scene from The West Wing...
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
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The local elections were only two weeks ago, but the time since has seen a dramatic aftermath, with pressure on the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure, resignations from government, and the expectation of a looming Labour leadership election.
Nigel and Sarah discuss the turmoil in politics, the prospects for Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and other possible candidates, and ask whether the modern test for a Prime Minister is passing the "vibe check".
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
It's the morning after the weekend before - with the final results of elections across the UK now declared and the analysis and fallout now beginning. The outcome has turned the UK's political map into something of a patchwork of different colours as the reshaping of the British party system continues.
In Scotland the SNP remain in control, but with Reform UK and Labour vying to be the official opposition. In Wales, a century of Labour dominance has come to an end, with Plaid Cymru winning the most seats and falling just short of a majority in the Senedd. And across England Reform UK and the Greens have seen notable victories, but there were also some satisfying results for the Conservatives and Lib Dems.
Before we embark on what could be a dramatic week for politics at Westminster, Nigel and Sarah take the opportunity to discuss the significance of what we've just seen happen across the country.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
The King's speech to both houses of the United States congress this week has been hailed on both sides of the Atlantic as a triumph, and it was also a masterclass in gentle opposition, pointedly rebuking Donald Trump at several points, to enthusiastic applause in the chamber.
Nigel and Sarah discuss its significance, and also look ahead to next week's elections, and the importance in politics of being able to count.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
In one of Keir Starmer's most difficult weeks as Prime Minister (since the last one), he has faced a barrage of questioning over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain's Ambassador to the US, after revelations about the peer's security vetting process. In the wake of the renewed row, Nigel and Sarah discuss how opposition MPs have sought to find a "killer question", and what that actually means.
We also take a look at the polls for the upcoming set of elections across the UK, with less than two weeks to go until voters deliver their verdict.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
As the English local elections enter the last month of campaigning, with nominations closed and candidates chosen, is the big story now a fight between Reform UK and the Greens for control of Town Halls?
Nigel and Sarah review the campaign launches of both parties and consider whether local or national politics will determine the results, as well as asking: how well vetted are these new candidates? We also take a look at the latest opinion polls and consider which leaders are seen as the 'least worst' options by voters.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector
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With an important set of elections coming up across the UK in May, Nigel and Sarah have reactivated the OppositionCast election war-room to preview the battles ahead.
In London, the Conservatives and Labour will be looking to hang onto or recapture Councils they have traditionally run, but are facing an unprecedented challenge from Reform UK and the Green Party. Meanwhile the SNP will be looking to consolidate its grip on the Scottish Parliament, and Labour will be trying to hang onto control of the Welsh Senedd.
The weeks ahead could see further dramatic reshaping of the opposition landscape in the UK, and OppositionCast will be charting the campaign and its aftermath, and hearing from experts and politicians along the way.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the The Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
It's CHRISTMAS! (well, nearly...). As we approach the end of 2025, Nigel and Sarah present a bumper edition of the podcast, looking back at a dramatic year in the politics of opposition in the UK. Who were the winners and losers, and what might next year have in store?
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the longest party conference season in recent memory finally comes to an end with the "Your Party" conference in Liverpool last weekend. And it was a dramatic one - Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's rocky relationship took another turn as Sultana boycotted the opening day of the conference over what she called a "witchhunt" against her supporters.
Nigel and Sarah discuss whether the new party can recover from this chaotic launch, and in other news, also catch up on talk of a future electoral pact between the Conservatives and Reform UK.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
It's Budget Day - but is there anything left that hasn't already been leaked? With Nigel soaking up the atmosphere around Westminster and Sarah cheering on the latest farmers' protest, we discuss how the Budget speech went, and whether it is enough to quell opposition on the Labour benches.
We also review Kemi Badenoch's response in the chamber, in which she introduced another breakfast cereal reference to compete with Sarah's frequently-mentioned Coco-Pops. Will it soon be Cheerio, Chancellor?
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
Only a week to go until we (finally!) hear what is in the Budget, after weeks of speculation and even U-turns on announcements not yet made.
Nigel and Sarah have been counting down the days to Budget Eve, and discuss this week's PMQs and renewed disquiet on the Labour backbenches. Plus, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage go head-to-head with a battle of the press conferences.
We also look at the state of public opinion, with some polls showing the Greens now level-pegging with the Conservatives, and ask whether there is anything the main parties can do about the disaffection driving these trends.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
The government looks to have scored an own-goal this week, after sources in Number 10 briefed against the Health Secretary, claiming he is plotting to bring down the Prime Minister. It prompted a furious response from Wes Streeting, to whom Keir Starmer has been forced to apologise. There are now calls for Starmer's Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney to be fired, and Labour MPs are more unhappy than ever. Sarah and Nigel discuss whether the government is doing the Opposition's job for them.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
This week, as the Conservatives put out a Traitors-themed video calling for Rachel Reeves to resign if she puts up taxes, Nigel and Sarah discuss what lessons the TV show has for our politics. We also look back to 1967, when the Labour Chancellor James Callaghan resigned after breaking a promise not to devalue the pound.
We also review David Lammy's performance standing in for Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, and consider the experience of previous ministers who have had trouble with prisoners escaping when they shouldn't.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
Nearly a year after taking on the role of Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch had a good outing at Prime Minister's Questions this week as she asked a "Gotcha" question to Keir Starmer about the government's tax promises. But as she grows in confidence, her poll ratings remain historically bad.
Nigel and Sarah discuss this and other issues including budget speculation, the Chancellor's difficulties over form-filling, a Welsh by-election and the 75th anniversary of the rebuilding of the House of Commons chamber.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
With parliament back in session, Nigel and Sarah review where things stand after the party conferences, and discuss the news of the week. As Storm Benjamin batters the UK, there's controversy over the grooming gang inquiry, and the continuing scandal over Prince Andrew has landed on the political agenda. How can MPs best scrutinise issues that affect the Royal Family?
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
This week marks the 100th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher's birth, and her legacy was much in evidence at last week's Conservative Party Conference, with Kemi Badenoch's speech taking place 50 years after the Iron Lady's own first speech to the conference as leader.
In this special episode, we delve back into our own archives to revisit an interview with Dr Emily Hickey, whose PhD thesis focused on Mrs Thatcher's time in Opposition, and with Sir Adam Ridley, who was an adviser to the future Prime Minister and helped draft that first party conference speech.
We also hear extracts from a discussion Nigel took part in on Matt Chorley's radio show featuring Conservative peer David Willetts talking about how Thatcher was more pragmatic than she is now given credit for.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
Our conference roadshow comes to an end (for now) with Sarah and Nigel both reporting from the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
We speak to Kemi Badenoch about what lessons she's learnt from Margaret Thatcher's time in opposition, and to the Shadow Health Secretary, Stuart Andrew, about how he's approaching the task of developing policy in opposition.
We discuss how the conference might affect the political narrative, and (for some reason), whether Nigel wants to smell like a bowl of Coco Pops.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
The Labour Party Conference in Liverpool saw much speculation about a possible leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, whilst Keir Starmer - like Ed Davey last week - focused his attention on Nigel Farage and Reform.
Nigel and Sarah reflect on Burnham's prospects and discuss the party's attitude to dissent after a number of attendees found their credentials cancelled after posting critical comments. They also consider the issue of politicians' security, after Reform claim Farage's police protection has been reduced.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector -
We're off to the seaside in this episode, as Nigel joins the Lib Dems for their conference in sunny Bournemouth, where the party was talking ID cards, online safety and taking on Reform UK.
Featuring an exclusive interview with party leader Sir Ed Davey, taking a break from his itinerary of media stunts to discuss the challenges of opposition and his ambitions for the next election.
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Theme Music by Tom Hector - Daha fazla göster
