Loyal opposition
Encyclopedia
In parliamentary system
s of government, the term loyal opposition is applied to the opposition parties
in the legislature to indicate that the non-governing parties may oppose the actions of the sitting cabinet
typically comprising parliamentarians from the party with the most seats in the elected legislative chamber while maintaining loyalty to the source of the government's power. The concept thus permits the dissent necessary for a functioning democracy
, as the policies of the governing cabinet can be challenged without fear of being accused of treason against the state. The idea of inquisitorial opposition that held the executive to account emerged in Great Britain
.
s, being therein termed formally as Her (or His) Majesty's Loyal Opposition and informally as the Official Opposition, with the head of the largest opposition party normally that which holds the second largest number of seats designated as the Leader of Her (or His) Majesty's Loyal Opposition. This tradition emerged in the oldest of the Commonwealth realms the United Kingdomduring the 18th century, but it was not until a debate in the British parliament
in 1826 that John Hobhouse
coined the term His Majesty's Loyal Opposition. As a consequence of this parliamentary evolution, the sovereign's right to the throne became more concrete, seeing the opposition scrutinise government legislation and policies, rather than engage in disputes between competing candidates for the Crown, each supported by different religious and economic groups.
This came to be rooted in the other countries due to their being former British colonies, to which British parliamentary institutions were transported. Thus, the phrase His Majesty's Loyal Opposition existed in some Commonwealth realms even before the title of prime minister
. Also, in federal countries, such as Canada
and Australia
, the phrase Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is also employed in provincial or state legislatures, in the same fashion as in other parliaments.
was formed during the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson
and Alexander Hamilton
and the peaceful transfer of power when Jefferson won the presidential election
.
Parliamentary system
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....
s of government, the term loyal opposition is applied to the opposition parties
Opposition (parliamentary)
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state...
in the legislature to indicate that the non-governing parties may oppose the actions of the sitting cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
typically comprising parliamentarians from the party with the most seats in the elected legislative chamber while maintaining loyalty to the source of the government's power. The concept thus permits the dissent necessary for a functioning democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, as the policies of the governing cabinet can be challenged without fear of being accused of treason against the state. The idea of inquisitorial opposition that held the executive to account emerged in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
Commonwealth realms
The notion of a loyal opposition exists in various Commonwealth realmCommonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
s, being therein termed formally as Her (or His) Majesty's Loyal Opposition and informally as the Official Opposition, with the head of the largest opposition party normally that which holds the second largest number of seats designated as the Leader of Her (or His) Majesty's Loyal Opposition. This tradition emerged in the oldest of the Commonwealth realms the United Kingdomduring the 18th century, but it was not until a debate in the British parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
in 1826 that John Hobhouse
John Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton
John Cam Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton GCB, PC, FRS , known as Sir John Hobhouse, Bt, from 1831 to 1851, was a British politician and memoirist.-Background and education:...
coined the term His Majesty's Loyal Opposition. As a consequence of this parliamentary evolution, the sovereign's right to the throne became more concrete, seeing the opposition scrutinise government legislation and policies, rather than engage in disputes between competing candidates for the Crown, each supported by different religious and economic groups.
This came to be rooted in the other countries due to their being former British colonies, to which British parliamentary institutions were transported. Thus, the phrase His Majesty's Loyal Opposition existed in some Commonwealth realms even before the title of prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
. Also, in federal countries, such as Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the phrase Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is also employed in provincial or state legislatures, in the same fashion as in other parliaments.
United States
The idea of loyal opposition in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was formed during the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
and Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
and the peaceful transfer of power when Jefferson won the presidential election
United States presidential election, 1800
In the United States Presidential election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the "Revolution of 1800," Vice-President Thomas Jefferson defeated President John Adams. The election was a realigning election that ushered in a generation of Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual demise of...
.