Opposition

• Opposition is the second largest party as well as any other smaller parties in Parliament. Their role is to scrutinise the government and force it to defend their policies. They should also ensure the views of minorities are considered
• Opposition scrutinises government policy through time in debates, question time, PMQs, questioning the benefits and implementation of proposed policies, Parliamentary questions and select committees
• Leader of the Opposition acts as a shadow PM and is appointed to the Privy Council. They lead a shadow cabinet to scrutinise the actions of the government. If they table a motion of no confidence, it should be properly debated
• Opposition has 20 days where they control the agenda - 17 go to the official opposition, and 3 to the other parties

  Labour used one in 2020 and brought the extension of the free school meal scheme through public awareness bringing pressure on the government, despite this policy failing to pass initially
• Opposition is important in debates on bill and amendments - leader of the opposition is usually given priority in introducing amendments
• The Speaker alternates between government and opposition in Parliament and makes decisions regarding which urgent questions and motions to grant.
• The opposition has the right to media coverage to comment on government action and to present its own views - BBC usually give the leader of the opposition a right of reply after certain key announcements

  • Johnson announced the 3-tier lockdown system leading to Starmer giving a televised address calling for a circuit break lockdown instead
• Opposition should be informed on matters of national importance

  • Johnson called Starmer to inform him about the 2nd lockdown
• Short money - funds policy research and travel expenses which does not include salaries. Membership fees and donations typically go to party management or campaigning purposes
• Cranbourne money - available to the opposition in the House of Lords to help it carry out parliamentary business
• Some members of the opposition are kept on the Privy Council to be kept abreast of major political developments, especially on security measures. It also allows them to prepare to take over government as they are informed
• Opposition rights are given by the government on the basis of convention. At times of national crisis, the government and opposition will work together to cooperate - Churchill and Attlee after WW2
• Select Committees usually work with civil servants most, although opposition does work with them before elections to engage in access talks, allowing the civil service to understand the intent behind the opposition's manifesto. It also allows the opposition to familiarise itself with the civil service, allowing misconceptions to be smoothed out
• Access talks can be arranged at the PM's discretion and can be granted to smaller parties at their request - Lib Dems and SNP in 2019