OppositionCast

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. Pr...

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 Hecto...

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 Flet...

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 au...

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 m...

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 Deput...

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 pr...

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 re...

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...

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 p...

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 Fle...

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 U...

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 Clint...

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 w...

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 imp...

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.