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The Opposition and shadow cabinet

Study note

The political party with the second largest number of MPs in the House of Commons forms the official Opposition. The job of the Opposition is to challenge the government, question its decisions, and offer an alternative. The Opposition is led by the Leader of the Opposition, not by the Speaker or the Prime Minister.

The Leader of the Opposition appoints senior colleagues to act as shadow ministers, and together these MPs make up the shadow cabinet. Each shadow minister follows and challenges a particular government department, mirroring the real Cabinet. For the test, remember that the second biggest party is the Opposition, that it is led by the Leader of the Opposition, and that its team of senior MPs is called the shadow cabinet.

Memory tip: Second-biggest party = Opposition; its shadow cabinet challenges the government.

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Question 1 of 2

What is the group of senior Opposition MPs who challenge government ministers called?

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Show all questions and answers for The Opposition and shadow cabinet(2 questions with explanations)

The Opposition and shadow cabinet: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What is the group of senior Opposition MPs who challenge government ministers called?

    • The civil service
    • The shadow cabinet
    • The Whips
    • The House of Lords

    Correct answer: The shadow cabinet

    Senior Opposition MPs form the shadow cabinet to challenge the government.

  2. 2. Who leads the official Opposition?

    • The Prime Minister
    • The Leader of the Opposition
    • The Lord Chancellor
    • The Speaker

    Correct answer: The Leader of the Opposition

    The official Opposition is led by the Leader of the Opposition.

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