Leader of the Opposition (Tanaau)
| Leader of the Opposition | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Vacant | |
| Official Opposition | |
| Style | The Right Honourable |
| Member of | Shadow Cabinet |
| Seat | Frosea |
| Term length | No Fixed Term |
| Formation | 17 November 2023 |
| Unofficial names | Opposition Leader |
The Leader of the Opposition, sometimes referred to as the Opposition Leader, is the person who leads the Official Opposition in the Kingdom of Tanaau. They chair the Shadow Cabinet, and the office is seen as a shadow head of government - so is sometimes likened to being an alternate or shadow Prime Minister of Tanaau.
The Leader of the Opposition is often viewed as an alternative or shadow prime minister, and is ex officio a member of the Privy Council. They lead an Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet, which scrutinises the actions of the Cabinet and offers alternative policies. Like the prime minister, the Opposition Leader is conventionally a member of parliament.
The Opposition Leader is deputised by a Shadow Deputy Prime Minister.
The office is currently vacant.
History
The opposition leadership dates back as long as there has been a prime minister. The office was not established by the constitution, but was founded on its ratification on 17 November 2023.
Appointment
Unlike the prime minister and members of the cabinet, the opposition leader is not appointed by the monarch directly. Instead, the leader of the opposition is, conventionally, the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons that is not currently in government, and they remain in office as long as their party is in this position.
As a result, the term-length for the office is not fixed or at the monarch's pleasure.
Role
As head of the official opposition, the leader of the opposition chairs the shadow cabinet and appoints its members. The officeholder scrutinises the actions of the Government of Tanaau, primarily that of the prime minister, and offers their alternatives. The opposition leader is also ex officio a member of the Privy Council, so they advise the monarch on the exercise of their powers.