Leader Of The Opposition (United Kingdom)
The Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition in the United Kingdom (more commonly known as the Leader of the Opposition) is the politician who leads the Official Opposition (Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition) in the United Kingdom. There is also a Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords. At one time the leaders in the two Houses were of equal status, unless one was the most recent Prime Minister from the party forming the official opposition. However since early in the twentieth century there has been little dispute that the leader in the House of Commons was pre-eminent.
The Leader of the Opposition is normally the leader of the largest party not within the government, which is usually the second largest political party in the House of Commons. He or she is normally viewed as an alternative Prime Minister, and is a member of the Privy Council.
The Leader of the Opposition is entitled to a salary in addition to their salary as Member of Parliament. In 2010, this additional entitlement was available up to a maximum of £73,617.
The current Leader of the Opposition is Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party.
Read more about Leader Of The Opposition (United Kingdom): List of Leaders of The Opposition
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