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