The context is made all the worse for the coalition by the fact that parties in opposition nationally tend to win more seats in local elections than governing parties. (totalpolitics.com)
In principle, the losing party in opposition proceedings bears the fees incurred by the winner as well as all costs incurred which are essential to the proceedings. (mewburn.com)
The Labour Party in opposition needs to present itself as an alternative government, but just as importantly the role of the main opposition party in a parliamentary democracy is to seek to influence the decisions of government, and shape the political debate. (leftfutures.org)