shadow cabinet

American  

noun

1. (in the British Parliament) a group of prominent members of the opposition who are expected to hold positions in the cabinet when their party assumes power.

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Etymology

Origin of shadow cabinet

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

They also agreed that National Party lawmakers including the three senators who had resigned could return to the shadow cabinet in March, local media said.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

The Liberal Party leader said both parties had patched up with an agreement that neither party could overturn decisions taken by the coalition's joint "shadow cabinet" of senior lawmakers.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

On the same programme, Conservative shadow cabinet member Stuart Andrew also called the comments "disgraceful" and "appalling".

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

On Wednesday afternoon in a large wood-panelled room in parliament, Robert Jenrick was sitting alongside Kemi Badenoch and the rest of the Conservative shadow cabinet talking about foreign policy.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

The final straw seems to have been a disagreement at a shadow cabinet away-day last Thursday over whether Britain was broken.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026