"A question for our British friends..." Topic

What is a "shadow minister"? I've subscribed to The Economist for a number of years and read it regularly, but that term has been showing up more and more frequently lately in discussions of British politics.

Wait… this isn't some kind of Illuminati thing, is it? It certainly *sounds* sinister…

The person in the party that's not in power who is their spokesman for whichever ministerial position they "shadow". ie. they have no actual power but represent the oppositions views on the subject.

A shadow Minister is a member of the main opposition party (currently the Conservatives) given a front-bench role as a spokesman on a particular Department's policies. They often become the actual Minister for that Department on a change in government.

What they said – they're probably appearing in news reports more at the moment as there has to be an election in the next 7 months, and the conservatives have a double-figure poll lead, meaning there's every chance they'll be in government next June.

I love how the British government works (please note, I'm talking about procedure and not politics). I know it's a probably a grass is always greener sort of thing; but it's fascinating.

Figured it might be something like that. Sort of a "government in exile" feel to it.

Thanks, all!

I just love the way the full title for the second largest party is "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition" as opposed to "Her Majesty's Government".

More like a Government in waiting rather than in exile. The system has the advantage that, even though the people concerned may never have been in power, the Opposition at least has people more or less trained for the jobs they might be getting.

It also saves time after the election, since the new government already knows who's doing ehat (assuming they all get elected, I suppose).

Buff – her maj obviously remembers what happened to her predecessors when there was a "disloyal opposition"…..

In Canada, they're known as *insert portfolio here* critics. Every opposition party has them. So you'd currently have a Liberal Defence Critic, an NDP Defence Critic and a Bloc Defence Critic.

Hmmm… I can see the merit in the practice, certainly. It could certainly beat the months-long vetting and confirmation processes we go through here in the Colonies.

Bah. I criticize the entire charade in the Anglophone world, because it's no longer any fun since Congresscritters/MPs/what-have-you stopped hitting each other with tongs or throwing stuff at each other or blatantly insulting one another. Nuts to the whole thing.

blatantly insulting one another

True, but nothing stops them subtly insulting each other.

Our parliament is designed for civilised discussions. The front benches are designed to keep the opposing parties more than one swords length apart.

I just love the way the full title for the second largest party is "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition" as opposed to "Her Majesty's Government".

As I understand it, the reason for this is that to sit in parliament you must swear alliegence to the crown. You have no obligation to do this, but if you don't you don't get to sit in the house and vote. Sinn Fein's MPs will not swear alliegence (being Irish Nationalists…) and hence do not get to sit in parliament, but they do receive the normal associated benefits like expenses and offices on site. If such MPs were numerous enough to form the largest opposition block then they would probably be the "Opposition" but would have no right to actually oppose. Not happened yet, and very unlikely to.

<quote>or blatantly insulting one another</quote>

You should try to tune in on the Canadian Question Period, week days at 2 PM, EST.

The Canadian Question Period is a joke compared to the British version. In Britain they actually answer questions – not so here.

It's a lot more respectable than the Black Panthers' ministers (unfortunately).

I'm with MahanMan. It's when those in power and the opposition are in consensus that the people are in trouble…

We need to have our politico's take a page from SE Asia's proceedings, let's see passion in what you are supposed to be standing for… more fistfights, screaming and chairthrowing!!

stopped hitting each other with tongs or throwing stuff at each other

The distance between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the opposition is two sword lengths. Not casting aspertions, just mentioning.

the months-long vetting and confirmation processes

Power vests a level lower here- despite what certain Americans claim, the Monarch has no power, and parliament has a history of getting rid of those who think they are more important! Effectively the leader of the country is the Prime Minister. He gets to decide who has what portfolio, and spread them around any MP (and occasionally he doesn't just pick his own party). That means all the cabinet are made up of people who are elected reps.

I think the closest you have is probably Majority Leader in Congress, though the make up of the Commons is closer to the senate. Our Speaker is the chairman, what is it in the US.