About this episode

The episode discusses the history of Conservative leadership elections with Lee David Evans, focusing on his book about the topic.

As all eyes at Westminster turn to the imminent coronation of Andy Burnham as Labour leader, OppositionCast, appropriately, looks across the chamber to the opposition party and looks at the history of Conservative leadership elections. Nigel speaks to Lee David Evans, John Ramsden Fellow at the Mile End Institute, about his new book "Coronations and Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory leaders", which charts an often brutal history of leadership contests. We discuss the effect of different rule changes over the years, and consider the proper definition of a "stalking horse." Presented by Nigel Fletcher Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Theme Music by Tom Hector

People in this episode

Host: Nigel Fletcher

Guest: Lee David Evans

Topics covered

• Conservative leadership elections
• Labour party
• political history
• leadership contests
• rule changes

Keywords

• Coronations
• Defenestrations
• Tory leaders
• leadership elections
• politics
• Andy Burnham
• rule changes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mile End Institute, Centre for Opposition Studies

Books & works: Coronations and Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory leaders

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• 89- Pugnacious PMQs · July 3, 2026 · 43 min
• 88 - Trains, cabs and loudspeakers · June 25, 2026 · 52 min
• 87 - Mr Burnham goes to Westminster · June 19, 2026 · 56 min

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