Dr Nigel Fletcher
@nigelfletcher.bsky.social
UK political historian, lecturer and writer;
Co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Cake, campery & historical/constitutional trivia. 🍰🏳️🌈 📖 🇬🇧
Website: www.nigelfletcher.org
Subscribe to my newsletter:
https://nigelfletcher.substack.com
Co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies.
Cake, campery & historical/constitutional trivia. 🍰🏳️🌈 📖 🇬🇧
Website: www.nigelfletcher.org
Subscribe to my newsletter:
https://nigelfletcher.substack.com
One file did make me think of you…
November 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM
One file did make me think of you…
It’s been one of *those* days in the archive again. 🤩
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
It’s been one of *those* days in the archive again. 🤩
If YouTubers (and politicians) are going to insist on this maddening trend of holding their lapel mics instead of clipping them on, then at least go the full Terry Wogan and clip them onto a long stick.
November 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
If YouTubers (and politicians) are going to insist on this maddening trend of holding their lapel mics instead of clipping them on, then at least go the full Terry Wogan and clip them onto a long stick.
What could possibly go wrong?
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
What could possibly go wrong?
The pen was gifted to Clementine Churchill, wife of Sir Winston, by Admiral Wemyss’s nephew, and is now in the Churchill Archives in Cambridge. On a recent tour behind the scenes there I and some colleagues were rather casually shown it, and were utterly dumbstruck. What a thing to see.
November 11, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The pen was gifted to Clementine Churchill, wife of Sir Winston, by Admiral Wemyss’s nephew, and is now in the Churchill Archives in Cambridge. On a recent tour behind the scenes there I and some colleagues were rather casually shown it, and were utterly dumbstruck. What a thing to see.
As it’s Armistice Day, I wanted to share an image of one of the most astonishing things I’ve ever seen in an archive:
This is the pen which ended the First World War.
It was used by British Admiral Rosslyn Wemyss to sign the Armistice on the 11th November 1918 in the Forest of Compiègne.
This is the pen which ended the First World War.
It was used by British Admiral Rosslyn Wemyss to sign the Armistice on the 11th November 1918 in the Forest of Compiègne.
November 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM
As it’s Armistice Day, I wanted to share an image of one of the most astonishing things I’ve ever seen in an archive:
This is the pen which ended the First World War.
It was used by British Admiral Rosslyn Wemyss to sign the Armistice on the 11th November 1918 in the Forest of Compiègne.
This is the pen which ended the First World War.
It was used by British Admiral Rosslyn Wemyss to sign the Armistice on the 11th November 1918 in the Forest of Compiègne.
Update: Yep, it’s his standup. Though if he wants to break into a chorus of “Revolting Children”, I’m sure that’d work just fine too.
November 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Update: Yep, it’s his standup. Though if he wants to break into a chorus of “Revolting Children”, I’m sure that’d work just fine too.
And just like that... Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is no longer a Prince.
The King issued Letters Patent on Monday declaring that his brother 'shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of “Royal Highness” and the titular dignity of “Prince”.'
The King issued Letters Patent on Monday declaring that his brother 'shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of “Royal Highness” and the titular dignity of “Prince”.'
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 PM
And just like that... Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is no longer a Prince.
The King issued Letters Patent on Monday declaring that his brother 'shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of “Royal Highness” and the titular dignity of “Prince”.'
The King issued Letters Patent on Monday declaring that his brother 'shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of “Royal Highness” and the titular dignity of “Prince”.'
That feeling when you just put your feet up at lunchtime for five minutes to reply to some emails, and someone decides you’re not permitted to get up again to go back to work.
November 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
That feeling when you just put your feet up at lunchtime for five minutes to reply to some emails, and someone decides you’re not permitted to get up again to go back to work.
My first job was at the Portsmouth Evening News. Headquartered in The News Centre at Hilsea, it had hundreds of people working there, and a massive hall at the back for the presses, leading out to the loading bay where dozens of vans took out deliveries. It was a magical factory. Now all gone. 😭
November 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
My first job was at the Portsmouth Evening News. Headquartered in The News Centre at Hilsea, it had hundreds of people working there, and a massive hall at the back for the presses, leading out to the loading bay where dozens of vans took out deliveries. It was a magical factory. Now all gone. 😭
Bluesky tonight is like being in the library studying and suddenly hearing cheering and raucous laughter from the Students Union (Threads).
“What’s going on over there?”
Dolly. That’s what.
“What’s going on over there?”
Dolly. That’s what.
November 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Bluesky tonight is like being in the library studying and suddenly hearing cheering and raucous laughter from the Students Union (Threads).
“What’s going on over there?”
Dolly. That’s what.
“What’s going on over there?”
Dolly. That’s what.
Internet problems at home have forced me from my cosy study at home in search of decent wifi- so I find myself in Westminster on a rather nice sunny day.
The political attack ads from the Conservatives provide a useful prompt for this afternoon’s #OppositionCast recording…
The political attack ads from the Conservatives provide a useful prompt for this afternoon’s #OppositionCast recording…
October 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Internet problems at home have forced me from my cosy study at home in search of decent wifi- so I find myself in Westminster on a rather nice sunny day.
The political attack ads from the Conservatives provide a useful prompt for this afternoon’s #OppositionCast recording…
The political attack ads from the Conservatives provide a useful prompt for this afternoon’s #OppositionCast recording…
How it started… how it’s going.
Slightly alarmed to see my big old face featuring in the promo trailer for tonight’s Channel 5 royal documentary “Royal Heirs and Spares”. Recorded it back in the summer, so I can’t remember what I actually said - tune in at 8.35pm and we can find out together!
Slightly alarmed to see my big old face featuring in the promo trailer for tonight’s Channel 5 royal documentary “Royal Heirs and Spares”. Recorded it back in the summer, so I can’t remember what I actually said - tune in at 8.35pm and we can find out together!
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
How it started… how it’s going.
Slightly alarmed to see my big old face featuring in the promo trailer for tonight’s Channel 5 royal documentary “Royal Heirs and Spares”. Recorded it back in the summer, so I can’t remember what I actually said - tune in at 8.35pm and we can find out together!
Slightly alarmed to see my big old face featuring in the promo trailer for tonight’s Channel 5 royal documentary “Royal Heirs and Spares”. Recorded it back in the summer, so I can’t remember what I actually said - tune in at 8.35pm and we can find out together!
And he’d insist on lecturing you about the quality of the wine instead of just drinking it.
Regret to say it, but he’s a wine bore.
Regret to say it, but he’s a wine bore.
October 15, 2025 at 8:21 AM
And he’d insist on lecturing you about the quality of the wine instead of just drinking it.
Regret to say it, but he’s a wine bore.
Regret to say it, but he’s a wine bore.
The office was then being used by Theresa May, and there were papers strewn on her desk. David Cameron asked "has it changed much since your day, Lady T? Was it a bit tidier?". Thatcher looked around and said. "Hmm. A little." Then to Theresa: "But it's a lovely room, and you deserve it, dear."
October 13, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The office was then being used by Theresa May, and there were papers strewn on her desk. David Cameron asked "has it changed much since your day, Lady T? Was it a bit tidier?". Thatcher looked around and said. "Hmm. A little." Then to Theresa: "But it's a lovely room, and you deserve it, dear."
At the event, I escorted Lady Thatcher around, with David Cameron - and was treated to over an hour of her memories of politics. It was slightly unreal, and quite touching. We took her into her old office as Leader of the Opposition, where she met Ronald Reagan in 1978. #Thatcher100
October 13, 2025 at 12:44 PM
At the event, I escorted Lady Thatcher around, with David Cameron - and was treated to over an hour of her memories of politics. It was slightly unreal, and quite touching. We took her into her old office as Leader of the Opposition, where she met Ronald Reagan in 1978. #Thatcher100
Some more #Thatcher100 from the Fletcher archive: In 2007 I organised an exhibition in Parliament to mark 30 years since Mrs Thatcher was the first Leader of the Opposition to use the current Shadow Cabinet Room. It was quite the event - with all the (then) Conservative Leaders of the Opposition.
October 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Some more #Thatcher100 from the Fletcher archive: In 2007 I organised an exhibition in Parliament to mark 30 years since Mrs Thatcher was the first Leader of the Opposition to use the current Shadow Cabinet Room. It was quite the event - with all the (then) Conservative Leaders of the Opposition.
UPDATE: I have dug my photos out of the Fletcher archive… the full Margaret Thatcher circus at the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth, 1998.
#Thatcher100
#Thatcher100
October 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
UPDATE: I have dug my photos out of the Fletcher archive… the full Margaret Thatcher circus at the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth, 1998.
#Thatcher100
#Thatcher100
As today is the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth, I think it’s obligatory to treat you to a succession of anecdotes about her.
Here goes:
#Thatcher100
Here goes:
#Thatcher100
October 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
As today is the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth, I think it’s obligatory to treat you to a succession of anecdotes about her.
Here goes:
#Thatcher100
Here goes:
#Thatcher100
The Conservative conference has been wrapped up- and so have Margaret Thatcher’s outfits…
Punchy speech from Kemi Badenoch, with some genuine policy rabbits from the hat, received enthusiastically in the hall. But will it change the political weather?
🎩 🐇 👏 #CPC25
Punchy speech from Kemi Badenoch, with some genuine policy rabbits from the hat, received enthusiastically in the hall. But will it change the political weather?
🎩 🐇 👏 #CPC25
October 8, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Conservative conference has been wrapped up- and so have Margaret Thatcher’s outfits…
Punchy speech from Kemi Badenoch, with some genuine policy rabbits from the hat, received enthusiastically in the hall. But will it change the political weather?
🎩 🐇 👏 #CPC25
Punchy speech from Kemi Badenoch, with some genuine policy rabbits from the hat, received enthusiastically in the hall. But will it change the political weather?
🎩 🐇 👏 #CPC25
Did a last broadcast interview for Times Radio before leaving the Conference- and am now heading back home, after stopping for some rather apt refreshment en route…
#cpc25
#cpc25
October 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Did a last broadcast interview for Times Radio before leaving the Conference- and am now heading back home, after stopping for some rather apt refreshment en route…
#cpc25
#cpc25
Well, that was great fun, if a bit surreal- joining Lord Willetts and Salma Shah in talking to @mattchorley.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social about Margaret Thatcher and whether I want to smell like Coco Pops…
(Just listen back, it’ll make sense. Probably.) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(Just listen back, it’ll make sense. Probably.) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
October 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Well, that was great fun, if a bit surreal- joining Lord Willetts and Salma Shah in talking to @mattchorley.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social about Margaret Thatcher and whether I want to smell like Coco Pops…
(Just listen back, it’ll make sense. Probably.) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(Just listen back, it’ll make sense. Probably.) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Delighted to catch up with Peter Just (@expremiers.bsky.social)
during the book signing for his fascinating new book “Margaret Thatcher- life after Downing Street” here at #CPC25 in Manchester. The conference has a strong Thatcher theme, marking the centenary of the former PM’s birth this month.
during the book signing for his fascinating new book “Margaret Thatcher- life after Downing Street” here at #CPC25 in Manchester. The conference has a strong Thatcher theme, marking the centenary of the former PM’s birth this month.
October 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Delighted to catch up with Peter Just (@expremiers.bsky.social)
during the book signing for his fascinating new book “Margaret Thatcher- life after Downing Street” here at #CPC25 in Manchester. The conference has a strong Thatcher theme, marking the centenary of the former PM’s birth this month.
during the book signing for his fascinating new book “Margaret Thatcher- life after Downing Street” here at #CPC25 in Manchester. The conference has a strong Thatcher theme, marking the centenary of the former PM’s birth this month.
Team #OppositionCast has assembled! For the first time on my autumn political safari I’ve been joined by my co-host: @sarahsouthern.bsky.social and I hit the party circuit at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, where we spoke to a former Prime Minister at a party celebrating another…
October 6, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Team #OppositionCast has assembled! For the first time on my autumn political safari I’ve been joined by my co-host: @sarahsouthern.bsky.social and I hit the party circuit at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, where we spoke to a former Prime Minister at a party celebrating another…