Deputy Leader of the Georgeland Opposition

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Georgeland is the second most-senior member of the Official Opposition in the Parliament of Georgeland. The position is typically held by the deputy leader of the party in opposition. In the past, when the coalition between the United Islands Labour Party and the Democrats were in opposition, the Democrats' leader held the post. The practice of having an official deputy leader of the opposition dates only from 1965. In that year, the Parliamentary Remuneration Act listed the position as recieving the second-highest pay level among opposition MPs. Whilst there is no requirement for the holder of this position to be a member of the House of Commons, but this has always been the practice. There is also a Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, but this position is considered junior to the Deputy Leader in the House of Commons. It is usual for the Deputy Leader to assume leadership of the opposition when the Leader is unavailable. On several occasions the deputy has assumed leadership on an interim basis on the death or resignation of the Leader.

Before 1965
Prior to 1965, the opposition party usually had a 'number two' man who served as the lieutenant to the leader. They did not usually hold any official title, and the titles, duties and method of election varied widely. The following people are generally acknowledged to have been Deputy Leader in all but name.

Post-1965
From 1965, the deputy leader of the opposition party recieved an official titlew, as well as an increased salary, staff allowance and office. 1''The leaders of the United Islands Liberal Party and United Islands Labour Party respectively claimed they were the Official Opposition during the second 1999 election. No conclusive answer was given until 2000, when the Georgeland Elections Office ruled that neither was Opposition until after the election results were declared.