Loyal opposition
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Loyal opposition is the concept that one can be opposed to the actions of the government or ruling party of the day without being opposed to the constitution of the political system.
In the United Kingdom and many other Commonwealth countries the leader of the party possessing the largest number of seats in Parliament whilst not forming part of the government is termed "The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition". Their constitutional function is to scrutinise government legislation and actions. Whilst frequently opposing Her Majesty's Government at every turn, the leader of the opposition is not opposed to Her Majesty's right to the throne.
This is an important difference between the developed constitutional monarchy of the 18th century onwards and the previous squabbles between competing candidates for the throne supported by different religious and economic groups.
Most developed political systems have a similar concept though without the British terminology. Parties acknowledge the constitutional system in which they operate, including the procedures to change the constitution itself. A change of government can take place without revolution and without revolutionary implications.
The idea of loyal opposition in the United States was formed during the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the peaceful transfer of power when Jefferson won the presidential election.
