Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 May 1980.
Mrs Margaret Thatcher
The Prime Minister, Leader of the Conservative Party
12:00,
6 May 1980
I trust that the Opposition front bench, as well as the Government, are against strikes for political purposes. Such strikes are wholly contrary to the law in this country.
The first bench on either side of the House of Commons, reserved for ministers and leaders of the principal political parties.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
