The maths of a two party system or more than two parties

[steffychun]

Based on my short glance, there should be at least 15 ministers (including PM) in Cabinet (ignroing the special roles by you know who). Maybe more

If the island miraculously becomes a 2 party system and if we continue to use the Westminister Parliamentary System, the opposition (supposing one party) must have 15 members to form the "Shadow Cabinet" (Google search shadow Cabinet). Maybe less as some members can double up on certain roles. And if we still use the Westminister System, there should be more members on the opposition "front bench"--that is shadowing the second ministers or the junior ministers.

And if there is another "weaker" opposition party (like the Lib Dems of the UK), that party too has to form a second Shadow Cabinet with members holding dual and triple shadow roles.

But there are only 84 seats currently. For a party to win power, it has to claim at least 56 seats. That leaves 28 or less seats for the opposition. How can there be a dominant opposition and even more a dominant Shadow Cabinet?

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Govt can be formed by a simple parliamentary majority (> 50%)

 

[neddy]

Based on my short glance, there should be at least 15 ministers (including PM) in Cabinet (ignroing the special roles by you know who). Maybe more

If the island miraculously becomes a 2 party system and if we continue to use the Westminister Parliamentary System, the opposition (supposing one party) must have 15 members to form the "Shadow Cabinet" (Google search shadow Cabinet). Maybe less as some members can double up on certain roles. And if we still use the Westminister System, there should be more members on the opposition "front bench"--that is shadowing the second ministers or the junior ministers.

And if there is another "weaker" opposition party (like the Lib Dems of the UK), that party too has to form a second Shadow Cabinet with members holding dual and triple shadow roles.

But there are only 84 seats currently. For a party to win power, it has to claim at least 56 seats. That leaves 28 or less seats for the opposition. How can there be a dominant opposition and even more a dominant Shadow Cabinet?

It is not necessary to have a shadow cabinet if the shadow govt is not large enough.

 

[steffychun]

Not having a shadow cabinet defeats the purpose of having opposition MPs.

 

[steffychun]

Govt can be formed by a simple parliamentary majority (> 50%)

Getting only 50% means you can't form a government.

 

[steffychun]

Not forgetting a shadow Whip, Leader of the House etc