17.) The Significance of the Parliamentary Opposition

Question 1

What are the four types of opposition to the government?

Answer 1

-Official Opposition (second largest party in Parliament)
-Smaller opposition parties
-Intra-party
-Inter-party: only seen during coalition governments

Question 2

What is the purpose of the opposition?

Answer 2

To offer scrutiny of the government

Question 3

Why does the official opposition have a shadow cabinet?

Answer 3

To present themselves as a ‘government in waiting’ - and to challenge the official cabinet and expose any weaknesses

Question 4

What’s a unique way that the official opposition’s leader gets to challenge the PM during PMQs?

Answer 4

They get to ask the opening question and five other questions, they are also the only MP allowed to respond to the PM with further questions.

Question 5

Opposition party have how many days set aside where they can select the topic of debate?

Answer 5

-17 for the Official Opposition
-3 for the second largest opposition party

Question 6

What happens at the end of the opposition debate?

Answer 6

It is voted on, if relevant

Question 7

Name an example of an opposition debate defeating the government?

Answer 7

Gurkha residency - Labour defeated in 2009 after 27 Labour MPs rebelled (intra-party)

Question 8

What can the shadow cabinet do during debates?

Answer 8

Ask questions of government ministers and suggest alternative policies to them

Question 9

Give an example of debates where an alternative policy has been put forward and accepted?

Answer 9

Rail services debates, Labour have called for the renationalisation of the railways

Question 10

Name an example of inter-party opposition?

Answer 10

Lib-Dem MPs opposing a Tory plan to lower inheritance tax, led to it being dropped (Con-Dem coalition)

Question 11

Name strengths of the opposition within the UK Parliament?

Answer 11

-Official Opposition receives extra funding - “short money” to fund research
-Opposition can position self as alternative government
-Opposition can occasionally influence government policy - Gurkhas
-Backbench government rebels can defeat government - 2012 Lords reform

Question 12

Name weaknesses of the opposition within the UK Parliament?

Answer 12

-Government has more resources - Cabinet Office/special advisors
-Government can pick topic of debate most times
-Strength of shadow cabinet depends on individual members - E.G Diane Abbott police interview
-Opposition success rare
-Successful rebellions rare - only work if opposition parties supported

Question 13

Give reasons why the executive dominates Parliament?

Answer 13

-Whip system ensures government bills pass most unamended
-Parliamentary timetable usually controlled by government
-PMBs usually require government support to pass (except: Cooper-Letwin and Benn but even they were rejected after 2019 election results)
-Governments ignore 60% select committee recommendations
-PMQs mostly point scoring

Question 14

Give reasons why the executive DOES NOT dominate Parliament?

Answer 14

-Minority governments often defeated (PM May Brexit deals)
-20 opposition days (Gurkha citizenship vote 2009)
-PMBs can be passed even direct government opposition (Cooper-Letwin and Benn)
-Select committees growing in profile/independent
-All legislation scrutinised in debates and public bill committees