The Structure And Role Of Parliament: The Role And Significance Of The Opposition In Parliament Flashcards
What are the four potential types of opposition in parliament?
The Official Opposition
Other opposition parties
Intra-party: opponents within the governing party
Inter-party: In a period of coalition government such as between 2010 and 2015, there can be disagreements between the different parties in government
What is the fundamental purpose of the opposition in parliament?
Offer scrutiny and potentially a check on the government, offer viable and practicable alternative solutions, and therefore have a formal shadow cabinet whose role is to challenge the relevant government minister and be a ‘government in waiting’
What is the special privileges the leader of the Official Opposition has in PMQs?
They always ask the opening question plus 5 more and are the only MP allowed to respond to the prime minister with further questions
How many days each year are set for opposition parties to choose the topic for debate and what are those days called?
20 days called opposite days, with 17 of those days going towards the Official Opposition and the rest to the second largest party
How can shadow cabinet members scrutinise the government?
They can ask questions of minister and offer alternatives
