The British Political Model: Shadow Cabinets

[brooklynite]

In Great Britain the opposition Party establishes a "Shadow Cabinet" of subject experts, with the expectation that they will become the Cabinet Ministers if the opposition Party wins. Biden should, to the extent possible, pre-announce his cabinet to run as a team and provide a strong contrast to the yes-men surrounding Trump.

[The Magistrate]

1. This Is An Excellent Idea, Sir

I have long thought the 'shadow cabinet' a good institution, and favored its use here in national campaigns. It would be a little different, necessarily, because in the Parliamentary system a Prime Minister can simply appoint a cabinet, without need of anyone's approval. Here the Senate must be involved, and while there was once a tradition of deference to a President's choices for cabinet seats, that has gone by the board in our era. It would add an odd edge to Senate races, which might prove useful in 'nationalizing' the vote in state elections for Senate seats. Too many people think they are doing something clever by casting a vote for President, and then a vote for another party's Senate candidate, to 'check' him, or 'maintain balance'....


"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[First Speaker]

2. I've always wondered why this isn't done every election, by both parties...

...it's certainly not forbidden by the Constitution. It makes sense. Maybe that's why it isn't done...

[William769]

3. What makes you think it's not already being done.

It may just not be advertised.

[The Magistrate]

4. Advertising It Is The Point, Sir

As the English system works, when you vote for your member of Parliament, you know not just who the Prime Minister will be, but who will be Chancellor (Treasury), Home Secretary, Minister for Defense, etc., if the person you voted to a seat in Parliament proves to part of a majority for your party. A strong shadow cabinet may bolster a weaker party leader (who becomes Prime Minister), or where both elements are well regarded, raise the prospects of every party member seeking a seat in Parliament.


"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[William769]

5. Thank you for the lesson on how the English system works.

[Laelth]

6. I am extremely fond of this feature of the UK system.

The main benefit is that each side gets equal time in front of the press. Not only does the Foreign Minister get to speak before the press on issues of international relations. The Shadow Foreign Minister is given press time after the actual, government Foreign Minister speaks. This system prevents the party in power from monopolizing the media narrative.

-Laelth

[AllaN01Bear]

7. that was called the fairness doctrine here untill it was removed .

[mwooldri]

8. Something the UK traditional broadcast media still has.

Even down to no political advertising on TV - political parties get a chunk of free airtime close to elections (which are prescheduled and one can easily avoid them). Newspapers on the other hand... Biased as anything. Some are more blatant than "Fox News".

[CottonBear]

9. I'd like to nominate Sally Yates for Shadow Attorney General of the US.

Mayor Pete could fill any of several cabinet positions.

[SKKY]

10. That would be a fucking BRILLIANT idea...

...and yes, I did need the f bomb. Sometimes, you just need an f bomb.

[OnDoutside]

11. It's a good idea, although it could widen the Republican attack lines.