official opposition

In a parliamentary system , the members of parliament who do not support the government are known collectively as the opposition.  The largest party grouping of these members is often given formal recognition as the official opposition, with its leader known as the leader of the opposition.  This recognizes the opposition as a potential alternative government, and the leader of the opposition as the party leader who may become the premier after the next general election .  The office of leader of the official opposition is mentioned in the Constitution Act (British Columbia) (section 1), but no role is specified for the office.