The House of Commons is the office for the Government Ministers as well as for the Opposition Spokespersons. At times, specific peers also represent government departments and opposition parties in the House of Lords.
The Prime Minister
The head of the Government is the Prime Minister and he is also a MP. The leader of the party which wins a general election is known as the Prime Minister. Presently, Gordon Brown, the leader of the Labour party is the Prime Minister of UK. The Prime Minister chooses the other members of the Government. When a Parliament is dissolved with the permission of the Queen, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to set the date of the general elections. During such a situation, the Current parliament is suspended. The Mps and the political parties seek re. This situation can arise any time. In the House of Commons, the Prime Ministers answers to the questions asked to him on every Wednesday between 1 2- 12.30 p.m.
The Leader of the Opposition
A leader of the Opposition is present both, in the House of Commons as well as in the House of Lords. The leader of the largest opposition party hold this position. Presently the Opposition Leaders in both the Houses belong to the Conservative Party. Presently, Mr. David Cameron is the leader of the opposition party in the House of Commons. The leader of the opposition party draws an extra salary apart from the salary that he is entitled to as a MP. The leader of the opposition party in the House of Commons has a ‘Shadow Cabinet’ in order to follow the works of the Government departments minutely. Presently, Lord Strathclyde is the leader of the opposition party in the House of Lords.
The Cabinet
The Prime Minister can pick a maximum of 22 government ministers to form his Cabinet. They can be members of either House of the Parliament. The cabinet is responsible for developing government policies. Some members also head government departments.
The Shadow Cabinet
MPs from the main opposition party in the House of Commons form the Shadow Cabinet. Currently, the Shadow Cabinet is formed by the Conservative party. The Shadow Cabinet examines the government departments and decisions and policies adapted in those areas.
