the 'shadow chancellor'

[spreadsheet]

why does the bbc refer to ed balls as the 'shadow chancellor'

I thought it was no longer a two party country?


and why do we have to refer to these people as 'Ed' and 'Tony' etc

I don't know them so why should we be using these familiar terms?


Surely it should be Mr Balls. Mr Milliband. Mr Grommet etc

[papa smurf]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Cabinet

Labour are the 'official opposition' as they had the largest share of the votes of the parties not in power.

http://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-a...nt-opposition/

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by spreadsheet

why does the bbc refer to ed balls as the 'shadow chancellor'

I thought it was no longer a two party country?


and why do we have to refer to these people as 'Ed' and 'Tony' etc

I don't know them so why should we be using these familiar terms?


Surely it should be Mr Balls. Mr Milliband. Mr Grommet etc

Well its better than some names i could use.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by spreadsheet

and why do we have to refer to these people as 'Ed' and 'Tony' etc

Because those are the names they choose to use themselves.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Well its better than some names i could use.

Oh yes!!!

Those who the Leader of the Opposition appoints to "shadow" government ministers have, by common consent, the title "shadow chancellor", "shadow foreign secretary" or whatever. They don't get a State salary for being a shadow, although the Leader of the Opposition does.