Deputy leader

A deputy leader in the Westminster system is the second-in-command of a political party, behind the party leader. Deputy leaders often become deputy prime minister when their parties are elected to government. In opposition, deputy leaders often lead Question Time sessions when the party leader is away. The deputy leader may take on the role of the leader if the current leader is, for some reason, unable to perform their role as leader. Reasons may include: assassination, foreign conference attendance, or illness. They also usually have other responsibilities of party management.

Some current Deputy Leaders

• Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)
• Lord Monckton, jointly Deputy Leader of the UK Independence Party of the United Kingdom.
• Joan Burton, female Deputy Leader of the Irish Labour Party of the Republic of Ireland.
• Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of the British Liberal Democrats
• Libby Davies, jointly Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
• Sanjeev Goel, male Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Ontario
• Damian Kettlewell, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia
• Thomas Mulcair, jointly Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
• Victoria Serda, female Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Ontario
• Ralph E. Goodale, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

See also

• Deputy Prime Minister