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

See Examples For:

shadow cabinet

Despite nominating former boss Nandy in the 2020 contest to replace him, eventual winner Sir Keir Starmer promoted her into the shadow cabinet as shadow Northern Ireland secretary, before she later became shadow transport secretary.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Reform's successes also included taking Essex County Council, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's local authority and an area where six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

Six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs in Essex, including party leader Kemi Badenoch.

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

So, Tory HQ is braced for another battering, just as they suffered last year when, as one member of the shadow cabinet admits, "we were in a total mess".

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

As the party with the largest number of MPs behind Labour, the Conservatives are the official opposition with a shadow cabinet mirroring government ministers.

From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026