OppositionCast

We've reached episode 99 of the podcast, and for this episode Nigel and Sarah take a look across the Atlantic to discuss the fallout from the US midterm elections and the challenges facing the Democrats in the run-up to the next presidential election.

Back home, we consider the dangers for politicians chasing celebrity endorsements, and examine an extraordinary on-air spat between Conservative and Reform UK spokespeople.

Make sure you're subscribed and make sure you don't miss our 100th episode, coming your way very soon...

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

It’s Budget Day, and like every other political podcast, we bring you a special edition with reaction and comment. But was the budget special enough? Nigel and Sarah question whether the measures outlined by John Healey matched up to the bold rhetoric in the Prime Minister’s conference speech just last month.

We also consider Kemi Badenoch’s attack on Andy Burnham at PMQs for seeking to re-open the Brexit debate, and whether this issue will continue to gain traction in the weeks to come. There is also another question hanging over politics this week: was this the budget of a government seeking to call an early election?

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

The Party Conference season ends with Kemi Badenoch's speech to the Conservative gathering in Birmingham, where she took aim not only at Labour but also at Reform UK, ruling out any move to "unite the right" and condemning Nigel Farage's party.

Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has had a bad week, losing the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to Labour, and facing a storm of criticism over his handing of his party's conference controversial motion on Israel and Zionism. Is his position now under threat?

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

Conference season continues with the Greens assembling in Brighton - but will anyone be there? With the Holborn and St Pancras by-election looming next week, some activists have been advised by the party to stay away and keep campaigning to get their leader Zack Polanski elected to parliament. Will their efforts be in vain?

We also look at a nightmare interview for the Green's deputy leader, who was unable to answer questions about the Birmingham bin strike during a radio interview, and look back at the highlights of Andy Burnham's first speech to the Labour Party conference as Prime Minister.

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

As the political conference season continues, the Lib Dems have been by the seaside in Brighton, with Ed Davey getting serious to tell them they are in "the fight of their lives." Nigel was in the hall for the speech - but was anyone outside watching?

We also discuss the latest polls, with Reform and the Conservatives now neck and neck, and vying for second place to Labour. Plus, what does the meeting of nationalist leaders from the devolved governments mean for the future of the United Kingdom?

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

When is a protest legitimate, and when does it cross the line into unreasonable or unlawful behaviour? In this week's episode Nigel and Sarah discuss the rough treatment of hecklers at the Reform UK conference, and look back at interruptions to previous leaders' conference speeches. They also consider the masked gangs who took to the streets in Dover and Portsmouth this week, and whether norms of political behaviour are under threat.

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

Parliament returns from its summer break, and OppositionCast returns to bring you news of a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, as Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch refreshes her top team, with both her Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Foreign Secretary departing for the backbenches, and new faces being brought forward. Meanwhile, Sir James Cleverley is seeking to win the Conservative Party's nomination to stand as Mayor of London in 2028 - what might his chances be?

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

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 Keir Starmer at his last Prime Minister's Questions, and why such courtesies matter in our politics.

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

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 leaders", which charts an often brutal history of leadership contests. We discuss the effect of different rule changes over the years, and consider the proper definition of a "stalking horse."

Presented by Nigel Fletcher

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

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 novelty candidate "Count Binface".

Nigel and Sarah consider whether Farage's move might backfire spectacularly, and discuss previous elections which didn't go according to plan.

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector