OppositionCast

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

Only a week to go until we (finally!) hear what is in the Budget, after weeks of speculation and even U-turns on announcements not yet made. Nigel and Sarah have been counting down the days to Budget Eve, and discuss this week's PMQs and renewed disquiet on the Labour backbenches. Plus, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage go head-to-head with a battle of the press conferences. We also look at the state of public opinion, with some polls showing the Greens now level-pegging with the Conservatives, and ask whether there is anything the main parties can do about the disaffection driving these trends. Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector

This week, as the Conservatives put out a Traitors-themed video calling for Rachel Reeves to resign if she puts up taxes, Nigel and Sarah discuss what lessons the TV show has for our politics. We also look back to 1967, when the Labour Chancellor James Callaghan resigned after breaking a promise not to devalue the pound. We also review David Lammy's performance standing in for Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, and consider the experience of previous ministers who have had trouble with prisoners escaping when they shouldn't. Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector

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

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

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

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

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