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The Leader of the Opposition in the United Kingdom is the politician who leads Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition. This is usually the leader of the largest party not within the government, usually the leader of the second largest party in the House of Commons, although the monarch can appoint any MP not in the government to the role. He or she is normally viewed as an alternative Prime Minister, and is a member of the Privy Council.

Since 1937, the Leader of the Opposition has received a state salary in addition to their salary as a Member of Parliament (MP), now equivalent to a Cabinet Minister. The holder also receives a chauffeur-driven car for official business of equivalent cost and specification to the vehicles used by most cabinet ministers.

The current Leader of the Opposition is David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party.

Those who have subsequently served as Prime Minister are indicated in italics.

¹ Previously served as Prime Minister.
² Acting leader, as Balfour had lost his seat at the election.
³ Acting leader, as Asquith had lost his seat at the election.
⁴ During World War II a succession of Labour politicians acted as Leader of the Opposition for the purpose of allowing the House of Commons to function normally. However, because the Government 1940-45 was a National Government in which Labour politicians functioned fully as members of the Government, from Deputy Prime Minister Clement Attlee downwards, none of them received the salary for the post of Leader of the Opposition. The largest party that opposed the war and was not part of the coalition - and therefore, in theory, the opposition was the Independent Labour Party led by James Maxton. With only three MPs, it tried to take over the opposition frontbench but was widely opposed in this venture.
⁵ Commonly the acting leader, following death of the leader, but according to Labour Party constitution is actual leader until the next party conference (or otherwise), as the leader is elected annually.

Before the reform of the House of Lords triggered by Lloyd George's Budget, the Prime Minister could be drawn from either the House of Lords or the House of Commons, as could the Leader of the Opposition. Sometimes there was no overall Leader of the Opposition. In the lists below, those generally seen as leaders of the whole opposition are indicated in bold

During Asquith's coalition government of 1915-1916, there was no opposition in either the Commons or the Lords. The only party not in Asquith's Liberal, Conservative, Labour Coalition was the Irish Nationalist Party led by John Redmond. However, this party supported the government and did not function as an Opposition

• Prime Minister of the United Kingdom