What is the opposition?

The Opposition is the parties in Parliament that are not in government. The largest of them is the Official Opposition, often called His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition. Its job is to scrutinise and challenge the government and present itself as an alternative government at the next election.

The Official Opposition is usually the second largest party in the House of Commons. Its leader becomes Leader of the Opposition, a formal role with an extra salary. The Opposition sits on the benches facing the government. Opposition parties share 20 Opposition Days each session, when they choose the topic for debate. Opposition parties receive public funding, called Short money, to help with research and staff. The word 'loyal' signals that opposing the government is not disloyal to the country or the Crown. A strong opposition is seen as vital in a democracy, because it holds ministers to account. Smaller opposition parties also question and vote against the government. When power changes hands after an election, the parties swap sides of the chamber. An Opposition rarely wins votes against a government with a large majority.