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Shadow Leader of the House of Commons facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Opposition House Leader.
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Shadow Leader
of the House of Commons
House of Commons of the United Kingdom logo 2018.svg
Incumbent
Vacant
since 5 July 2024
Appointer Leader of the Opposition
Website The Shadow Cabinet

The Shadow Leader of the House of Commons is an important job in the UK Parliament. This person is part of the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet. Think of the Shadow Cabinet as a "government-in-waiting" from the main opposition party.

The Shadow Leader works closely with the Leader of the House. The Leader of the House is a member of the actual government. Together, they help plan what topics will be discussed in the House of Commons. The Shadow Leader's main role is to challenge the government. They make sure the government is doing its job properly. They also respond to important announcements made by the Leader of the House every week. This role is similar to the Shadow Leader of the House of Lords, but for the House of Commons.

What Does the Shadow Leader Do?

The Shadow Leader has several key responsibilities. They help manage the daily business of the House of Commons. This means deciding when different topics will be debated. They also make sure the opposition party's views are heard.

Holding the Government Accountable

A big part of the job is to question the government. The Shadow Leader checks that the government is being fair and open. They ask tough questions about how the government runs the House of Commons. This helps keep the government honest and responsible.

Weekly Business Statement

Every Thursday, the Leader of the House announces the plans for the next week's debates. The Shadow Leader then responds to this. They can ask for more time to discuss certain issues. They can also suggest changes to the schedule. This is a chance for the opposition to highlight what they think is important.

Who Has Been Shadow Leader?

Many people have held the role of Shadow Leader of the House of Commons over the years. These individuals come from the main opposition party at the time. They work to represent their party's views in Parliament.

  • Herbert Morrison was one of the first known Shadow Leaders in 1951. He was from the Labour Party.
  • Michael Foot held the role twice, once in the 1970s and again in the 1980s. He was also a Labour politician.
  • Theresa May was a Conservative Shadow Leader from 2005 to 2009. She later became Prime Minister.
  • More recently, Lucy Powell held the position until July 2024.

See also

  • Opposition House Leader (Canada)

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