OppositionCast

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

The Labour Party Conference in Liverpool saw much speculation about a possible leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, whilst Keir Starmer - like Ed Davey last week - focused his attention on Nigel Farage and Reform. Nigel and Sarah reflect on Burnham's prospects and discuss the party's attitude to dissent after a number of attendees found their credentials cancelled after posting critical comments. They also consider the issue of politicians' security, after Reform claim Farage's police protection has been reduced. Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector

We're off to the seaside in this episode, as Nigel joins the Lib Dems for their conference in sunny Bournemouth, where the party was talking ID cards, online safety and taking on Reform UK. Featuring an exclusive interview with party leader Sir Ed Davey, taking a break from his itinerary of media stunts to discuss the challenges of opposition and his ambitions for the next election. Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector

In the latest of our UK conference season specials, we take a closer look at the Green Party of England and Wales, with former leader Natalie Bennett talking Trump, protests and how to "change everything". We also speak to Professor Tim Bale about Green party membership, discuss another Tory defection to Reform, and review Donald Trump's state visit. Plus a surprise appearance from Doctor Who! Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Theme Music by Tom Hector

Nigel and Sarah begin our Party Conference season with a look at the Reform UK gathering in Birmingham, and discuss the fallout from the resignation of Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner. We also speak to Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University of London about who Reform's members are and what the party's prospects might be in the years ahead. Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Theme Music by Tom Hector

In this special bonus episode, Dr Nigel Fletcher takes OppositionCast listeners to the first stop on his party conference tour, spending a day at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham. He speaks to Nigel Farage, interviews a recent defector from the Conservatives and watches as the leader's speech is interrupted by protesters. Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Presented by Nigel Fletcher Theme Music by Tom Hector

With parliament back from the summer recess and the autumn party conference season about to begin, we limber up for our conference road trip by catching up with a busy week in UK opposition politics. There's a new leader of the Green Party and pressure on the government from opposition parties over the Deputy Prime Minister's tax affairs. We also hear from Jeremy Corbyn about his new party, Ed Davey of the Lib Dems on Gaza and the ECHR, and listen in on Nigel Farage appearance at a congressional hearing in the United States. Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Presented by Nigel Fletcher Theme Music by Tom Hector

As parliament breaks up for the summer recess, Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch has taken the opportunity to refresh her frontbench team, with a reshuffle that has seen the return of former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to the Shadow Cabinet. Will the changes be enough to boost Conservative fortunes? Will anybody actually notice? And where are Nigel and Sarah going on the party conference roadtrip? Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector