Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Shadow cabinet

6 replies

beeonmybonnett · 04/09/2023 19:03

Asking on the back of the news that the Labour shadow cabinet has been reshuffled.

Yes, I’ve searched this on Google, but I don’t really understand the purpose / role of the shadow cabinet ?

How do they compare to the actual cabinet? What can’t they do that the actual cabinet can do? Can they not make laws / policies?

Do shadow ministers work closely with the actual minister of their respective department e.g. would the SoS for Education and the shadow SoS for education have a close working relationship ?

OP posts:
Original poster
beeonmybonnett · 04/09/2023 19:05

Also, is Keir Starmer, as leader of the opposition, not technically ‘shadow prime minister’ ?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 04/09/2023 19:06

They aren't in government so have no actual power. Of course they can ask questions of their counterpart in government.

Original poster
beeonmybonnett · 04/09/2023 19:10

See I never understood the ‘not in government’ thing either.

I would have thought that all MPs are in government as they too have a role in the making of laws even though they may not be serving ministers?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Politics
ilovesooty · 04/09/2023 19:13

The Shadow Cabinet is formed from the main opposition party. You aren't in government unless your party has the most seats.

user1471453601 · 04/09/2023 19:17

This is why citizenship/civics should be taught in schools. If @beeonmybonnett you are as intelligent as your writing makes me think you are, it's awful that you don't know this, I don't blame you, I blame our education system.

But, to answer your question, "shadows" don't normally work closely at all with their government counterparts. their job is to learn as much about the work of the Department they shadow that they can, and to challenge the minister they shadow as as and when they think they are doing something wrong. So, to hold them to some sort form of account.

the Shadow cabinet cannot make laws, as they are usually in the minority, and a Bill needs the approval of the majority of MPs to vote for it in order for it to become an Act, which then means it is the law.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page