UK Politics
General Discussion for politics in the UK.
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Backbench status only.
Our system has a government party with members of cabinate plus ministers. An official opposition with shadow minister roles. That has a few extra folks amd official PM question time roles. Then every other party is just back bench MPs with no other role.
So opposition means second largest party?
Yes the 2nd largest party is called the HM Official opposition. Technically all non gov party mps are opposition MPs. But the leader of the 2nd largest party has the tittle Leader of His Majesties Official Opposition.
It means the party leader has a few extra privileges in parliament. They have the role of their leadership sitting opposite the government. I.E. reserved seating just like the government.
They are also expected to question/challenge the government activities. If you watch Prime ministers Questions on Wednesday in parliament. You will notice the opposition leader gets to ask questions more openly then other MPs. I.E. he/she can ask questions more fluidly, and responsively to the PM's answers. Where as all the folks standing in the benches have to submit questions via the speaker. Why you will often hear them just quote a question number.