Leader of the Opposition

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Leader of the Opposition
GeorgeVIIHMGCoA.png
OliverVilliers1.png
Incumbent
Oliver Villiers
since 4 July 2025
His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
Style
  • The Right Honourable
Member of
Residence
AppointerThe Sovereign
Constituting instrumentHM Most Loyal Opposition Act 2024
Formation10 September 2020
First holder Philip Brandon
DeputyDeputy Leader of the Opposition
Salary£5,250 per cycle (July 2024)
WebsiteWestminster Hall

The Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition, more commonly referred to as the Leader of the Opposition, is the person who leads the Official Opposition in the Empire of Great Britain. The position is seen as the shadow head of government and thus the shadow of the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Originally by convention, the Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Commons that is not in government. When a single party wins outright, this is the party leader of the second-largest political party in the House of Commons. The role has since been codified by statute.

The Leader of the Opposition is often viewed as an alternative or shadow prime minister. They lead an Shadow Cabinet, which scrutinises the actions of the Cabinet and offers alternative policies.

The incumbent Leader of the Opposition is Kathrine Grey, The Countess of Argyll, who previously served as Prime Minister during the First Premiership of the Baron Lomond, Second Premiership of the Baroness Lomond, and the Premiership of the Viscountess Balloch. She formed an Official Opposition after losing the July 2024 General Election and Josephine Carew-Grey, The Baroness Wilton became Prime Minister.

Leaders of the Opposition

List of Leaders of the Opposition of Great Britain

Portrait Leader of the Opposition Term of Office Elections Party Shadow Cabinet Sovereign
Start End Duration
JFCarewMinistry.jpg James Forsyte
The Duke of Warwick
MP for York Central
23 May 2023 20 July 2023 59 days May 2023 Liberal Democrats Warwick Edward IX
JSCarewMinistry.jpg Yeldon Wright
The Baron Scarborough
MP for North Yorkshire
20 November 2023 3 January 2024 45 days Nov. 2023 Scarborough
JosiDPMKnightstone2.png Josephine Carew-Grey
Lady Knightstone
MP for Queen's Park and Maida Vale
22 April 2024 1 May 2024 10 days - Liberal Carew-Grey Charles III
ElioSomersetPM.png Elio Somerset
The Viscount Salisbury
MP for Exeter
5 May 2024 8 May 2024 4 days May 2024 Labour Salisbury
Nicholas Burke.jpg Nicholas Burke
MP for County Galway
9 May 2024 17 May 2024 9 days - Independent Burke
KathrineGrey.png Kathrine Grey
The Countess of Argyll
MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar
1 July 2024 10 August 2024 41 days July 2024 Liberal-Progressive Argyll
OliverVilliers1.png Sir Oliver Villiers
MP for St. Albans-Welwyn-Hatfield
4 July 2025 Present 22 days - Green Sovereignty Villiers George VII