How to be an effective opposition

Opposition parties play a crucial role in parliamentary democracy, scrutinising the government and putting forward alternative policies. But what makes opposition parties effective, both inside parliament and beyond? As the Conservative Party announced its new leader, this expert panel with first-hand experience of life in opposition discussed the task facing them and the other opposition parties.

Listen to the event as a podcast

Speakers:

• Baroness (Kate) Fall – former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron, and Conservative peer
• Professor Marc Stears – former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, and Director of the UCL Policy Lab
• Dr Nigel Fletcher – co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies

Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit

Image attribution

Background: Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer addresses the House of Commons by UK Parliament (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).