What is the Shadow Cabinet?
The Shadow Cabinet is made up of the senior members of the largest party not in government, known as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
The Shadow Cabinet largely mirrors the positions and responsibilities of the government’s actual Cabinet, holding it accountable, and presenting themselves as a viable alternative.
Each member of the Cabinet has an equivalent in the Shadow Cabinet. On behalf of the main Opposition party in the House of Commons by MP numbers (the Conservative Party), the relevant Shadow Cabinet Member scrutinises the work of the opposing Cabinet Minister. They offer criticism both in Parliament and on the media.
Members of the Shadow Cabinet also help develop policy on behalf of the Opposition, policy which is then ready to be implemented, should there be a change of government
Appointment to Shadow Cabinet
The Labour Shadow Cabinet was historically elected by Labour’s Parliamentary Party at the beginning of each Parliamentary session. This process was abolished in 2011.
Shadow Cabinet members have since been appointed by the Party Leader, the same process as utilized by the Conservative Party when they are in opposition.
Are Shadow Cabinet members paid?
The leader of the opposition is the only member of the Shadow Cabinet to receive an additional salary on top of his salary as an MP.
In 2020 Keir Starmer earned £144,649 a year as Leader of the Opposition. That was comprised of Sir Keir’s basic salary of £79,468 for being an MP, and a further £65,181 for his work as Leader of the Opposition.
Keir Starmer earned £144,649 per year during his time as Leader of the Opposition. That was some £20,000 less than the Prime Minister.
The Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons, the opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords, and the Shadow Leader of the House of Lords are technically not members of the Shadow Cabinet. However they do often attend Shadow Cabinet meetings. These roles also receive an additional stipend, as does the opposition Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons.
Shadow Cabinet – Ministerial Experience
When a Party has been the Official Opposition for a long period of time this is not necessarily uncommon. Neither Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, nor David Cameron and George Osborne, had any previous government experience before first assuming office.
