OppositionCast: Recent Episodes
The Centre for Opposition Studies
Discussion of political opposition with leading academics, politicians and commentators, presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Wales is often seen as one of the most anti-Conservative parts of Britain, with a strongly working-class Labour tradition. But in the postwar period the Conservative Party has remained the second party of Wales in electoral terms. In this episode Nigel talks to Dr Sam Blaxland, author of a new book charting the history of the Conservative Party in Wales 1945-1997. The story is a more nuanced than is often presumed, with some surprising results in elections during the period. Why have the Conservatives remained the main opposition to Labour in Wales, and with the next election looming, how secure is this position?Produced by the Centre for Opposition StudiesPresented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme music by Tom Hector
In the UK, the Labour Party has held a convincing lead over the Conservatives in the opinion polls since the disastrous impact of the "Mini-budget" under Liz Truss in the autumn of 2022. This month we've had another "fiscal event" in the shape of Jeremy Hunt's budget, but this doesn't seem to have had much effect on the polls at all.How can a "big moment" change the political weather, and what trends and issues lie behind the political opinion polls we're currently seeing? In this episode Nigel is joined by Professor Jane Green, Co-Director of the British Election Study and the new President of the British Polling Council, for an in-depth discussion of the state of the polls.Meanwhile in the United States, all looks set for a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump in November, with Trump's last remaining rival for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley, suspending her campaign this month. She stopped short of a positive endorsement of the presumptive nominee, however. Could there yet be more surprises to come? Produced by the Centre for Opposition StudiesPresented by Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music by Tom Hector
Over recent years, as leadership turmoil regularly engulfed the Conservative Party, the position of the 1922 Committee was brought to greater public attention. It provides a channel for communicating backbench dissent to the party leadership, and oversees formal leadership and no-confidence votes. But how did it come to exist, and how has its role changed?In this episode we speak to Professor Philip Norton (Lord Norton of Louth), who has written a history of the committee to mark its 100th anniversary last year. We also consider the impact of George Galloway's victory in the Rochdale by-election, and the continuing pressure on the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.Produced by the Centre for Opposition StudiesPresented by Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music by Tom Hector
The House of Commons descended into acrimonious chaos this week, with the Speaker facing a major backlash for his handling of an Opposition Day debate on the situation in Gaza. What was the row about, and what does it tell us about the way opposition functions in parliament? In this episode, Dr Nigel Fletcher does his best to explain its significance. Away from all that, we also pause to reflect on the sobering news from Russia, where opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died suddenly in prison, with his wife directly accusing Vladimir Putin of his murder. We’ll be rounding up some of the responses and considering what it means for opposition within Russia. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher; Theme Music by Tom Hector ;Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
An increasing number of MPs have reported an increase in the level of personal abuse, threats and intimidation they have received in recent years. Some of them, including Mike Freer MP, have cited it as a reason for choosing to stand down from Parliament.Most seriously, we have seen in the last decade the brutal murder of two MPs, Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021, as they went about their constituency duties. Politics inevitably involves strong disagreements and passionately-held views, which are often expressed forcibly. How can we maintain a robust and lively political debate whilst reducing the amount of unacceptable abuse MPs and their staff receive?In this episode, Nigel speaks to the Chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, the former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, about the recent report of their Civility Commission, which examines many of these issues.Presented by Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music by Tom Hector Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
We're back! With 2024 shaping up to be a dramatic year for politics in the UK and around the world, we're kicking off a new series of OppositionCast, beginning with a look at preparations for a potential change of government.This week Sir Keir Starmer has written to the Cabinet Secretary to formally request the beginning of "Access talks" - the process by which the Official Opposition meets senior civil servants to discuss their plans for government. The Institute for Government has a new report out on the subject, and earlier this month held a panel discussion about preparations for government. IfG Programme Director Dr Catherine Haddon joins Nigel to discuss this and her thoughts on the current process.Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies .Presented by Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music by Tom Hector
An unscheduled EMERGENCY episode (!) prompted by the resignation of senior Civil Servant Sue Gray to take up a job as Chief of Staff to the Labour Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.Featuring the government's response in the House of Commons to an urgent Question on the subject, Keir Starmer's awkward radio interview about it, and a look at the challenges of running the Leader's office with contributions from our archive interviews with Charles Clarke, Tina Stowell and Kate Fall. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
With protests continuing on the streets of Iran against the country's authoritarian regime, and the Ukrainian people continuing their defiance in the face of Russia's invasion, different forms of opposition continue to be manifested around the world. In this episode Nigel talks to foreign policy expert Garvan Walshe about the resistance being shown in these three countries and their prospects for success.Produced by the Centre for Opposition StudiesPresenter: Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music: Tom Hector
As the Conservative Party suffers a collapse in its opinion poll rating, Nigel speaks to pollster Chris Curtis of Opinium Research about how bad it is for the government, and what it means for the Labour Party. We also hear from Professor Jane Green of Nuffield College Oxford in her keynote address to our Opposition Studies Conference, given in July during a previous political crisis...Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies.Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.OppositionCast Theme Music by Tom Hector.
There is a new mood of confidence around the Labour Party as it takes a substantial lead in the opinion polls and begins thinking seriously about the prospect of power. Nigel Fletcher reports from the Labour Party Conference on Sir Keir Starmer's speech, and talks to guests including Professor Jane Green, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Meg Hillier MP, and Dr Catherine Haddon of the Institute for Government. Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies.Presenter: Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music: Tom Hector
In this special episode, we pay tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the week of her State Funeral. Nigel reflects on the relationship between the Queen and her Leaders of the Opposition, with archive contributions from the current and former Leaders of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The episode also includes clips from the 1992 BBC documentary "Elizabeth R - A year in the life of The Queen". Presented by Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music: Tom Hector.
This episode features extracts from the first Opposition Studies Conference, held in July 2022 at King's College London. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Chair of the Centre for Opposition Studies, gives the opening address, followed by Professor Lord Norton, who speaks on "Making Sense of Opposition". The two peers then join a panel for a discussion on the role of the House of Lords in Opposition.Presenter: Dr Nigel FletcherTheme Music by Tom Hector
The Labour Party, perhaps more than other parties, has a keen sense of its own history. In this episode we discuss the role of Labour's mythology -its heroes, villains and legends. Joining Nigel for this episode is Anthony Broxton, a political historian who founded and runs the Tides of History blog on Labour Party history (tidesofhistory.com).
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme Music: Tom Hector Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq
How important are ideas to an opposition party seeking election? How has the Labour Party struggled to balance ideology and pragmatic politics? Dr Patrick Diamond of Queen Mary, University of London, joins us to discuss these and other issues. Patrick is a former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street, and has written extensively on the Labour Party.
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq Theme Music: Tom Hector
We're back with a Christmas Special, and a real treat from the archives of the Centre for Opposition Studies. In April 2017, just before that year's General Election, we held an event in the House of Lords, with our Honorary President Lord Kinnock in conversation with Professor Lord Hennessy. It was a fascinating and entertaining discussion, and we're delighted to be able to bring it to a wider audience. Merry Christmas one and all!
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq Theme Music: Tom Hector
When Tony Blair took Labour back into government in 1997, his achievement was built on the foundations laid by his predecessors as Leader of the Opposition, in particular Neil Kinnock. During the 18 "years of hurt", it was Kinnock who took Labour from its dire position in the wake of the 1983 landslide defeat to the brink of power in 1992. As Chief of Staff to the Leader, Charles Clarke played a major role in those years, and speaks to us about his experiences and reflections on Kinnock's leadership. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
Kate Fall was a key member of David Cameron's inner circle throughout his time as Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister. Like many of 'Team Cameron', she had her political apprenticeship in the Conservative Research Department in the mid-90s, before staying to work in Opposition under William Hague and Michael Howard. In 2005 she encouraged Cameron to stand for Leader, and was then his Deputy Chief of Staff as he fought to return the Conservatives to power in the 2010 General Election. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
In politics as in battle, it's vital to know your enemy. Getting inside their head to anticipate their likely attacks and prepare your own defences, as well as seeing your respective weaknesses. Tom Hamilton was Head of Research for the Labour Party for 10 years, and helped prepare Harriet Harman, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister's Questions. He talks to us about how oppositions prepare for battle in debate.
When the Conservatives suffered their landslide defeat in the 1997 General Election, they faced the sudden shock of opposition: ignored by the public, mocked by the press, and cut off from the support of the government machine after 18 years in power. As their new Leader, William Hague had to build his team for the uphill struggle ahead, which he later called "the night shift".
Tina Stowell was recruited by Hague a few months later as his Deputy Chief of Staff, with responsibility for organising and running the Leader of the Opposition's office, where she sought to bring order and professionalism to Hague's inner team. In this interview, she takes us inside the Leader's Office during those challenging years and gives her assessment of the Hague Opposition. She also discusses her own later political career, when as Baroness Stowell of Beeston, she served as Leader of the House of Lords in David Cameron's Cabinet.
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
The last decade has seen a number of surprise election results in the UK- from the unexpected Conservative majority in 2015 to the EU referendum in 2016 and the volatility seen between the subsequent General Elections in 2017 and 2019. Professor Jane Green, Co-Director of the British Election Study, talks about the impact of this turbulent political landscape in both the UK and US, as examined in her recent co-authored book "Electoral Shocks: Understanding the Volatile Voter in a Turbulent World". Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
With renewed protests in Russia following the arrest and detention of activist leader Alexei Navalny, what are the prospects for the future of opposition to President Putin? Mark Galeotti, a prolific writer and expert on contemporary Russian politics gives us his view. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
As President Joe Biden begins his Presidency, the shadow of his predecessor Donald Trump hangs over the administration, following the attack on the US Capitol on 6th January and the former President's upcoming impeachment trial for helping incite the riot. Anti-Trump Republican activist Chris Brennan and Professor Sarah Birch of King's College London discuss the impact of recent events on the US political system. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
Making fun of politicians is a longstanding tradition in the press, and the ability to do so is a vital sign of a free society. With all of us needing some cheering up, Patrick Kidd of The Times discusses his four years as a parliamentary sketchwriter during the turbulent Brexit years, and his current role as editor of The Times Diary, aiming to be "an antidote to the news". Presented by Nigel Fletcher.
In a festive special, Nigel is joined by former Home Secretary and recent Strictly star Jacqui Smith, to discuss the role of the Government Chief Whip, which she held under Tony Blair. She tells us about the plot to remove him from office in favour of Gordon Brown, and how she managed dissent in the Labour ranks.
Dr Nigel Fletcher considers the nature of political uncertainty, and discusses the future challenges for the Labour Party and the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer - with a little help from Richard Osman's House of Games...
The US Presidential election has resulted in a clear win for Joe Biden that has been acknowledged by leaders around the world. But in the White House, the loser Donald Trump still refuses to concede defeat. Nigel Fletcher asks what this means for the prospects of a peaceful transition of power, and what lessons can be learned from the last four years. His guest is Dr Richard Johnson, lecturer in US policy and politics at Queen Mary, University of London.
Dr Nigel Fletcher examines how opposition to Donald Trump in the USA over the last five years failed to prevent him being nominated, getting elected and continuing in office. He speaks to lifelong Republican activist Chris Brennan, who is now working in the key swing state of Pennsylvania to encourage fellow Republicans to vote against the President. Featuring clips of Carly Fiorina, Hillary Clinton and Senator Kamala Harris. What's Next?
In the 1945 election, Winston Churchill was unexpectedly swept from power and into opposition. Just six years later, he and the Conservatives were back in government again. Dr Nigel Fletcher speaks to three guests about this period of Conservative recovery: Dr Michael Kandiah of King's College London discusses the role of Party Chairman Lord Woolton; Lord (Stephen) Parkinson discusses the policy work of Rab Butler; and Katherine Carter, curator at Churchill's former home, Chartwell, discusses how the former war leader adapted to life in Opposition, and what it was like to work for him.
Professor Philip Norton is this week's guest as he discusses different types of political opposition, how the Official Opposition operates in the UK Parliamentary system, and his new book, "Governing Britain: Parliament, Ministers and Our Ambiguous Constitution." Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Labour's former Leader in the House of Lords, talks to Dr Nigel Fletcher about her political career - from working for Neil Kinnock in the 1980s to her five years as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords under Ed Miliband. As Chairman of the Centre for Opposition Studies, she also gives her view on why our work to promote greater study of the subject is so important.
How did Labour perform in opposition to the 2010-2015 Coalition government? Dr Nigel Fletcher is joined by Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary, University of London to talk about the leadership of Ed Miliband - from attacks on the "omnishambles" budget to the rise of Jeremy Corbyn...
Stuart Smedley of the Centre for British Politics and Government at King's College London talks about his research on UK public opinion to EU integration in the years from 1973 to 2016. How did growing opposition to further integration develop into support for Brexit?
Dr Catherine Haddon of the Institute for Government talks to Dr Nigel Fletcher about how the Civil Service and opposition parties prepare for a possible change of government - including how the process of official contacts has evolved, and how it could work better.
Emily Stacey and Sir Adam Ridley talk to Dr Nigel Fletcher about Margaret Thatcher's time in opposition, focusing on her travel abroad to visit world leaders, and the policy-making process in the run-up to the 1979 election.