In chess, opposition is an important technique that can be used to gain penetration into key squares. Often, it can be used to win an enemy blocked pawn, or to promote one of your own pawns. Understanding the concept of opposition can make a big difference in how you play chess.
The Official Opposition – the largest party or coalition of parties that are not in government – is given significant constitutional rights and responsibilities by the Speaker. Its main role is to question and scrutinise the work of the government and it also seeks to communicate its position to the public.
During a Parliament, it is possible for the number of Members of Opposition to change due to defections, mergers, resignations and suspensions. In such cases the Speaker may transfer the status of Official Opposition to another party.
The aim of this workshop is to shed light on the way parliamentary opposition behaves and what factors influence its behaviour. In particular, the workshop explores the way in which parties use extra-parliamentary tools and spaces to enhance their parliamentary presence and to shape the nature of the parliamentary debate.
Additionally, the workshop examines how internal diversity and increased activity on the part of opposition parties impact parliamentary competition. Finally, the workshop takes on the academic challenge of bringing the study of opposition parties back into parliamentary studies.