The only tertiary frontbench

After several weeks and intense consultation, government formation concluded with the Lib Dems joining the coalition. On the other hand, the SNP geared up for another referendum and decided to adopt abstentionism as a strategy to drum up publicity. Combined with the expected DUP-Tory alliance, this left only the Lab Dems as a party to form a tertiary frontbench to combat the government and opposition alike.

"Brilliant!" Jeff rejoiced when he received an e-mail from the Speaker confirming his newfound role as the Shadow Leader of the Opposition. "We've got to assemble our cabinet straightaway."

"Cabinet?" Debbi inquired "We're not even the real opposition."

"No matter," Jeff responded, "We need to assemble our shadow cabinet to take the government to task. Which reminds me, I'll be Leader, Diane you be Shadow Chancellor, Debbi you be Shadow Home Secretary, and Carol you be Shadow Foreign Secretary." Was that a snub Debbi sensed? Did he really rank Diane higher than her in the shadow shadow cabinet? She needed to start brownnosing more.

"Sure thing, leader!" she quipped before Diane or Carol could butt in to correct him on anything.

And so Parliament was convened. Debbi was awestruck at the State Opening, which she had often seen on television but never in person. Despite the length of the proceedings, she was content and fully clothed throughout. Never a great parliamentarian, she nevertheless went wherever Jeff went. Luckily for her, their Westminster escapades were limited to Question Time and divisions. All seemed well until one day during questioning about a recent upsurge in terroristic activity from Ablastani operatives.