The Opposition is the political party or coalition of parties that is not in government. It is sometimes called the alternative government and has a role of closely examining the work of ministers. Members of the opposition are called Opposition MPs and have a range of rights that help them scrutinise government policy. The position of Leader of the Opposition carries significant constitutional status.
The word opposition can also be used to describe the way that some people oppose an idea or viewpoint. This kind of opposition is a natural part of our democracy and can often make us more likely to listen to other points of view.
For example, the Book of Nehemiah recounts how some of the people in his community opposed his plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. These opponents feared that the wall would limit their ability to make money. They were a real obstacle to the good work that Nehemiah and his team were doing.
In parliament, the Official Opposition is the largest party or coalition of parties that does not form a government. It is given a number of rights that help it to scrutinise the government, including special allowances for secretarial and research staff and expanded facilities such as the Library of Parliament. It is important for the opposition to act constructively and not merely to obstruct the government. This is because regular obstructive behaviour could lead the government to curtail their rights, which are granted by convention.
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