shadow minister

In some parliamentary systems , the opposition party assigns members of the party to take special note of the policy areas dealt with by particular ministers .  These opposition members who ‘shadow’ ministers have no official status but may, as a matter of courtesy, be given more access to government information than other opposition members.  Some opposition parties may not choose to create shadow ministers or parliamentary spokespersons for particular policy areas, but may give all opposition members responsibility for monitoring an area of government activity.  See also back bench .