Discussion of political opposition with leading academics, politicians and commentators, presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
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As the UK sees yet another Prime Ministerial handover, Nigel and Sarah discuss the choreography of the departure and arrival rituals, with reflections on previous such occasions. They also consider whether those sacked from the Cabinet by Andy Burnham will become trouble-makers on the backbenches, and take a moment to reflect on the kind words expressed between the Leader of the Opposition and…
As all eyes at Westminster turn to the imminent coronation of Andy Burnham as Labour leader, OppositionCast, appropriately, looks across the chamber to the opposition party and looks at the history of Conservative leadership elections. Nigel speaks to Lee David Evans, John Ramsden Fellow at the Mile End Institute, about his new book "Coronations and Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory…
Once again Nigel Farage has put himself at the centre of a political drama with his announcement, amid growing questions about his finances, that he is quitting as an MP to fight a by-election to regain his seat. He is pitching it as "establishment versus the people", but could this be a populist stunt too far? With the main parties refusing to stand candidates, his main rival looks to be veteran…
With the Labour leadership contest heading towards more of a coronation than a challenge, Nigel and Sarah turn their attention to asking whether Kemi Badenoch's pugnacious performances at Prime Minister's Questions in recent weeks are justified, and delve into the archives to compare her with previous leaders facing an outgoing PM. We also consider whether Nigel Farage's refusal to answer…
Exactly ten years on from David Cameron's resignation in the wake of the Brexit vote in 2016, Keir Starmer has just become the sixth prime minister in just ten years to make a resignation statement- only one of whom had been defeated at a General Election. In this episode we discuss how Andy Burnham is already being treated as Prime Minister in waiting, rumours that he is planning to relocate some…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…