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Discussion of political opposition with leading academics, politicians and commentators, presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
60 Episodes
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As 2024 draws to a close, Nigel and Sarah present our festive special, looking back on a major year for opposition parties and elections. Amid the Christmas wrapping and mince pies, they look at the moments, campaigns and leaders of the year.
Nigel also heads to the pub to catch up with the editor of the Times Diary for some reflections on the more light-hearted stories 2024 has brought.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As a new Leader of the Opposition, it's important to make a good first impression - and commentators have been quick to give their initial verdicts on Kemi Badenoch. But how did previous opposition leaders present themselves in their very first public statements in the job? Nigel gets back in his TARDIS to find out.
Meanwhile, Sarah has abandoned impartiality and been out supporting the (rather noisy) farmers protests in Westminster. Will the issue resonate with the public? And what are we to make of a recent poll showing Reform UK ahead of Labour?
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As the dust settles after Donald Trump's victory in the US Presidential election, our transatlantic election podcasting reaches its finale. Sarah joins us from New York, having been in California for polling day, and gives us her take on how the result went down in Kamala Harris's home state.
Back in London, Nigel runs through the Shadow Cabinet appointments that have now been made by new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and considers the serious challenges they face.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
We have a result! The long Conservative leadership contest comes to an end with the election of Kemi Badenoch, who takes over as the new Leader of His Majesty's Opposition. Once again, Nigel Fletcher was in the room where it happened.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the US Presidential Election reaches its climax, and Sarah has travelled to Los Angeles in California for election day. She gives her latest insight on the election campaign, including encountering a crowd of Trump supporters in New York.
Will we have another result this week, or is it going to take a bit longer to know who will win the White House?
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
Plot twist! We're back with an extra episode after the final MPs' ballot in the Conservative leadership election produced a shock result that few commentators or politicians saw coming. Nigel was in Committee Room 14 of the House of Commons as the result was read out and talks to Sarah about what might have happened...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
With the sudden resignation at the weekend of the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, what does the turmoil in Number 10 says about how well Labour prepared for government?
And with the party conference season wrapping up last week with the Conservatives in Birmingham, Nigel and Sarah discuss the leadership speeches from the final four candidates, before MPs whittle them down to the final two this week. Plus all the latest on the US election trail from Sarah in Washington DC.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
With the Labour Party back in government after 14 years of opposition, Nigel heads up to Liverpool to the party's conference fringe and finds a surprisingly subdued mood, accompanied by dark clouds and driving rain.
We hear analysis from polling guru John Curtice on the outcome of this year's General Election, discussion of the culture wars with More in Common's Luke Tryl, and discussion of the state of the Labour Party and its many new MPs with journalist Michael Crick.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher
Theme Music by Tom Hector
It's party conference season, and Sir Ed Davey has kicked things off by arriving at his Lib Dem gathering in Brighton on a jet ski, whilst Nigel Farage has rallied his Reform UK troops in Birmingham.
Over in the USA, it's now over a week since the Trump/Harris debate - has it moved the polls, or is the race still too close to call?
With Sarah in New York and Nigel minding the shop in London, we discuss these topics, and look ahead to the Labour and Conservative conferences.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
We're back - and we've gone transatlantic! With the US election looming, Sarah has headed Stateside, and joins us from New York, where she'll be based to provide exclusive coverage and insights into the campaign there. Meanwhile, Nigel remains here in London and has been keeping his eye on Westminster, where Keir Starmer is facing internal opposition from Labour MPs, and the Tory leadership election has kicked off with the first ballot of MPs.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As parliament rises for its summer recess, MPs and politicos will be getting a bit of a break after a tumultuous few months. Though not if they're one of the six Conservative leadership contenders who made it onto the ballot when nominations closed this week. They now have just a month to win over supporters before the first knock-out stages begin on the 4th September when parliament returns.
In this episode, Nigel and Sarah discuss the challenge facing the candidates vying to be Leader of the Opposition, and how difficult a position the Conservative Party is in. They also run through the long list of 40 bills announced by the new government in The King's Speech.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As the new parliament gets underway, we consider the changed political landscape, and the implications for the way opposition operates, with a wider variety of opposition voices in the House of Commons facing the new government from the benches opposite.
To analyse and discuss the implications, this episode brings you a recording of our expert webinar, which took place on the first full day of parliamentary proceedings following the King's Speech. Alongside Dr Nigel Fletcher, it features:
- Peter Kellner CBE - Pollster, broadcaster and award-winning journalist; former Chairman and president of YouGov
- Baroness (Janet) Royall of Blaisdon - Former Leader of the Labour Party in the House of Lords and Chair of the Centre for Opposition Studies
- Professor Paula Surridge - Professor of Political Sociology, University of Bristol; co-author of The British General Election of 2019 (and the forthcoming edition on 2024)
- Baroness (Tina) Stowell of Beeston - Former Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords; Previously Deputy Chief of Staff to William Hague as Leader of the Opposition
The event is introduced by Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, Executive Director of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher
Theme Music by Tom Hector
The dust has barely settled after the Labour landslide, but Nigel and Sarah have caught up on their sleep, and are back to give their reflections on a dramatic election night.
What does the future hold for the opposition parties? How long will Rishi Sunak hang around as Leader of the Opposition? And who could follow him?
Plus Nigel reports back on his busy election night, and we have another trip back in the TARDIS to see the aftermath of election night in 1997...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
Finally, it has arrived. The polls are open and after six weeks of politicians campaigning, it is now for the voters to decide their fate. Nigel and Sarah discuss the final events in the election campaign and look ahead to the likely change of government.
Back in 1997, the 1st of May dawns, with a nervous Michael Portillo canvassing the streets of his constituency, and Tony Blair starting to believe he might actually be on the brink of power.
In 2024 as in 1997, all eyes are on the exit poll at 10pm...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
With just two days to go until polling day, we're joined by special guest and podcast royalty, former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. We talk about campaigning, civility, what it's like to win in a landslide election... and what it's like to lose in the glare of publicity.
Nigel and Sarah also catch up with Ed Davey's latest stunt, hear which former Prime Ministers have been caught on the doorsteps, and discuss Elton John's endorsement of Keir Starmer. Plus, have the Conservatives finally managed a genuinely good tweet?
Lastly, we take another trip back to 1997, where we unexpectedly encounter the Centre for Opposition Studies' chair (our boss), wrestling with the Tory Chicken...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
With just a week to go until the results of the election are known, Nigel and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the ongoing betting scandal, and review the final head-to-head TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. Noises off threatened to distract from the event, and for once Sunak seemed to score some points at his opponents' expense.
Meanwhile back in 1997, the political mudslinging had become particularly intense as polling day approached, with John Major calling Tony Blair a liar, and both parties condemning each others' tactics. We also take a look at a set-piece interview with Blair on News at Ten, and a lavish Labour Party election broadcast which became known as Blair -The Movie.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As the betting scandal rumbles on, Nigel and Sarah discuss what further damage it could do to the public's faith in politics overall. They also consider how differing levels of trust change how voters react to policies, promises - and even Taylor Swift selfies.
Back in 1997, the issues of Europe continues to dominate, with Sir Edward Heath lambasting the latest Conservative attack on Tony Blair. The Labour leader meanwhile receives a team talk from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
In this episode Nigel and Sarah review the party leaders' performance in their latest television grilling, discuss the Tory betting scandal, and react to yet another set of eyebrow-raising opinion polls. Could the Conservatives really be reduced to just 53 MPs?
Plus, some advice on when to sleep during the election dramas, and our regular trip back to the 1997 General Election campaign, where the Tory campaign is on the brink of meltdown, with John Major publicly pleading with his party to unite behind him. Nigel shares his memories of being in the room for the astonishing campaign press conference.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme music by Tom Hector
In the latest from the campaign trail we talk to Conservative Minister Lord Parkinson, fresh from a bloody encounter with a dog in Clacton, and to Dr Louise Thompson about the problems facing smaller opposition parties in parliament. Could the Conservatives be about to join them?
Plus, we take our usual time-travelling trip to the the equivalent point in the 1997 General Election campaign, where John Major and Tony Blair engage in a war of cartoon metaphors, and Europe bursts back onto the agenda as the Conservative truce on the Single Currency comes under further strain.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
Manifesto week concludes with the Labour and Green Party manifestos being published, and another TV debate being held. Nigel and Sarah consider the significance of a poll showing Reform UK overtaking the Conservatives, and discuss a surprising Tory win in a local by-election.
Also under discussion: is Keir Starmer too robotic? What is the role of leader's spouses, and should you ever bet on an election?
In our time-travelling coverage of the 1997 General Election, Tony Blair gets an intergalactic endorsement, Margaret Thatcher goes off-message, and Peter Snow reviews the latest polls.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
It's manifesto week, with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats having launched theirs, and Labour's still to come on Thursday. Nigel and Sarah discuss these as well as the most recent TV debates and the state of the polls.
We're also joined by Dr Richard Johnson of Queen Mary, University of London, one of the co-authors of a new book, "Keeping the Red Flag Flying - The Labour Party in Opposition since 1922". What lessons might the party's past experience have for today's politicians?
Plus, Sarah accompanies Nigel on our latest trip back to 1997, where the party leaders are having to compete for coverage with a pair of chickens and an ambush on Knutsford Heath...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme music by Tom Hector
What are the challenges facing the Lib Dems in this election, and what does success look like for them? In this episode, Nigel and Sarah are joined by Mark Pack, President of the Liberal Democrats, to answer these and other questions.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister has been forced to apologise after he received a barrage of criticism for leaving the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations early to conduct a TV interview. How did this happen? And in our series looking back at the 1997 General Election we've reached the parties' manifesto launches - and Nigel risks running into his younger self...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As we await the first Leaders' TV debate of the election, Nigel and Sarah discuss the news from the campaign trail, including the effect of Nigel Farage's return to the political fray, and what the latest opinion poll tells us.
We also head back for our "live" coverage of the 1997 General Election, where TV debates are also under discussion, along with a look at Tony Blair's battlebus, and a guest appearance from The Spice Girls...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
In this all-star edition of the podcast we speak to Gyles Brandreth and John Sergeant about parallels with previous General Elections, and veteran journalist and author Michael Crick about his work tracking parliamentary candidate selections.
Sarah and Nigel also discuss how much fun Ed Davey is having on the campaign trail, Rishi Sunak's excitement at taking a sleeper train, and whether Diane Abbott will be allowed to stand as a Labour MP. We also take another trip back to 1997 to cover that year's campaign in real time...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As we approach the end of the first week of the General Election campaign, Nigel and Sarah discuss how the opening stages have gone- with Labour proposing lowering the voting age to 16, and the Conservatives announcing the return of national service (sort of).
Sarah shares her thought on the visuals of the campaign, including the Prime Minister visiting the Titanic quarter in Belfast, and reveals how she saved David Cameron from a potentially embarrassing photo at a bread factory.
Meanwhile, Nigel gets in his TARDIS to travel back to 1997 to begin a new feature charting the progress of that year's General Election in "real time".
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
As the UK General Election campaign gets properly underway, we unveil exciting changes to the podcast! Joining Nigel Fletcher as our new co-host is political commentator and comedian Sarah Southern, who in her previous career was a key aide to David Cameron during the 2010 General Election (the last time a Leader of the Opposition made the transition to government).
From now until polling day on 4th July, Nigel and Sarah will draw on their experience to analyse the latest campaign developments every Tuesday and Friday, joined by occasional special guests. In this episode they discuss the election, review the party leaders' first campaigning events, and remember how the Conservatives tried to sabotage Gordon Brown's election announcement.
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Nigel Fletcher and Sarah Southern
Theme Music by Tom Hector
EMERGENCY PODCAST! (As they say)
With Rishi Sunak calling the General Election for 4th July, Nigel Fletcher gives his initial observations on the campaign and we hear from a variety of opposition party leaders in their first campaign appearances. Plus, some hints about our exciting plans for coverage of the rest of the election campaign. Stay tuned...
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
Theme music by Tom Hector
Wales is often seen as one of the most anti-Conservative parts of Britain, with a strongly working-class Labour tradition. But in the postwar period the Conservative Party has remained the second party of Wales in electoral terms. In this episode Nigel talks to Dr Sam Blaxland, author of a new book charting the history of the Conservative Party in Wales 1945-1997. The story is a more nuanced than is often presumed, with some surprising results in elections during the period. Why have the Conservatives remained the main opposition to Labour in Wales, and with the next election looming, how secure is this position?
Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
Theme music by Tom Hector
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.
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.
Presenter: Dr Nigel Fletcher
Theme Music by Tom Hector
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 Hector
Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq
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 Fletcher
Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq
Theme Music: Tom Hector
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 audience. Merry Christmas one and all!
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
Research Assistant: Iman Abdel-Haq
Theme Music: Tom Hector
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 major role in those years, and speaks to us about his experiences and reflections on Kinnock's leadership.
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
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 Deputy Chief of Staff as he fought to return the Conservatives to power in the 2010 General Election.
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
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 prepare for battle in debate.
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 recruited by Hague a few months later as his Deputy Chief of Staff, with responsibility for organising and running the Leader of the Opposition's office, where she sought to bring order and professionalism to Hague's inner team. In this interview, she takes us inside the Leader's Office during those challenging years and gives her assessment of the Hague Opposition. She also discusses her own later political career, when as Baroness Stowell of Beeston, she served as Leader of the House of Lords in David Cameron's Cabinet.
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
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 her recent co-authored book "Electoral Shocks: Understanding the Volatile Voter in a Turbulent World".
Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher
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 political system. Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher.
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 Fletcher.
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.
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