OppositionCast

It's party conference season, and Sir Ed Davey has kicked things off by arriving at his Lib Dem gathering in Brighton on a jet ski, whilst Nigel Farage has rallied his Reform UK troops in Birmingham.

Over in the USA, it's now over a week since the Trump/Harris debate - has it moved the polls, or is the race still too close to call?

With Sarah in New York and Nigel minding the shop in London, we discuss these topics, and look ahead to the Labour and Conservative conferences.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

We're back - and we've gone transatlantic! With the US election looming, Sarah has headed Stateside, and joins us from New York, where she'll be based to provide exclusive coverage and insights into the campaign there. Meanwhile, Nigel remains here in London and has been keeping his eye on Westminster, where Keir Starmer is facing internal opposition from Labour MPs, and the Tory leadership election has kicked off with the first ballot of MPs.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

As parliament rises for its summer recess, MPs and politicos will be getting a bit of a break after a tumultuous few months. Though not if they're one of the six Conservative leadership contenders who made it onto the ballot when nominations closed this week. They now have just a month to win over supporters before the first knock-out stages begin on the 4th September when parliament returns.

In this episode, Nigel and Sarah discuss the challenge facing the candidates vying to be Leader of the Opposition, and how difficult a position the Conservative Party is in. They also run through the long list of 40 bills announced by the new government in The King's Speech.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

As the new parliament gets underway, we consider the changed political landscape, and the implications for the way opposition operates, with a wider variety of opposition voices in the House of Commons facing the new government from the benches opposite.

To analyse and discuss the implications, this episode brings you a recording of our expert webinar, which took place on the first full day of parliamentary proceedings following the King's Speech. Alongside Dr Nigel Fletcher, it features:

- Peter Kellner CBE - Pollster, broadcaster and award-winning journalist; former Chairman and president of YouGov

- Baroness (Janet) Royall of Blaisdon - Former Leader of the Labour Party in the House of Lords and Chair of the Centre for Opposition Studies

- Professor Paula Surridge - Professor of Political Sociology, University of Bristol; co-author of The British General Election of 2019 (and the forthcoming edition on 2024)

- Baroness (Tina) Stowell of Beeston - Former Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords; Previously Deputy Chief of Staff to William Hague as Leader of the Opposition

The event is introduced by Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, Executive Director of the Centre for Opposition Studies.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher

Theme Music by Tom Hector

The dust has barely settled after the Labour landslide, but Nigel and Sarah have caught up on their sleep, and are back to give their reflections on a dramatic election night.

What does the future hold for the opposition parties? How long will Rishi Sunak hang around as Leader of the Opposition? And who could follow him?

Plus Nigel reports back on his busy election night, and we have another trip back in the TARDIS to see the aftermath of election night in 1997...

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

Finally, it has arrived. The polls are open and after six weeks of politicians campaigning, it is now for the voters to decide their fate. Nigel and Sarah discuss the final events in the election campaign and look ahead to the likely change of government.

Back in 1997, the 1st of May dawns, with a nervous Michael Portillo canvassing the streets of his constituency, and Tony Blair starting to believe he might actually be on the brink of power.

In 2024 as in 1997, all eyes are on the exit poll at 10pm...

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

With just two days to go until polling day, we're joined by special guest and podcast royalty, former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. We talk about campaigning, civility, what it's like to win in a landslide election... and what it's like to lose in the glare of publicity.

Nigel and Sarah also catch up with Ed Davey's latest stunt, hear which former Prime Ministers have been caught on the doorsteps, and discuss Elton John's endorsement of Keir Starmer. Plus, have the Conservatives finally managed a genuinely good tweet?

Lastly, we take another trip back to 1997, where we unexpectedly encounter the Centre for Opposition Studies' chair (our boss), wrestling with the Tory Chicken...

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

With just a week to go until the results of the election are known, Nigel and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the ongoing betting scandal, and review the final head-to-head TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. Noises off threatened to distract from the event, and for once Sunak seemed to score some points at his opponents' expense.

Meanwhile back in 1997, the political mudslinging had become particularly intense as polling day approached, with John Major calling Tony Blair a liar, and both parties condemning each others' tactics. We also take a look at a set-piece interview with Blair on News at Ten, and a lavish Labour Party election broadcast which became known as Blair -The Movie.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

As the betting scandal rumbles on, Nigel and Sarah discuss what further damage it could do to the public's faith in politics overall. They also consider how differing levels of trust change how voters react to policies, promises - and even Taylor Swift selfies.

Back in 1997, the issues of Europe continues to dominate, with Sir Edward Heath lambasting the latest Conservative attack on Tony Blair. The Labour leader meanwhile receives a team talk from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme Music by Tom Hector

In this episode Nigel and Sarah review the party leaders' performance in their latest television grilling, discuss the Tory betting scandal, and react to yet another set of eyebrow-raising opinion polls. Could the Conservatives really be reduced to just 53 MPs?

Plus, some advice on when to sleep during the election dramas, and our regular trip back to the 1997 General Election campaign, where the Tory campaign is on the brink of meltdown, with John Major publicly pleading with his party to unite behind him. Nigel shares his memories of being in the room for the astonishing campaign press conference.

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Theme music by Tom Hector