OppositionCast

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 Studies Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme 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 Studies Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme 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 Fletcher Theme 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 Fletcher Theme 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 Studies Presenter: Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme 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 Fletcher Theme 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 Fletcher Theme Music: Tom Hector.