OppositionCast

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 questions about his £5m gift are a growing problem for Reform UK, and whether perhaps the party has peaked in popularity.

Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern

Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies

Theme Music by Tom Hector

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 Number 10 staff to Manchester, and whether noisy protests should be banned. We also get some exclusive insights into the famous "Podium guy", whose arrival in Downing Street now heralds the end for British Prime Ministers.

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 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

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

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