If there is no opposition in Parliament, which democratic function would weaken?

Correct answer: Scrutiny and criticism of government

Direct answer: A, scrutiny and criticism of government. The opposition consists of representatives who are not part of the governing side. It examines government policies, asks questions, points out weaknesses, discusses expenditure, and offers alternative views. This pressure helps the government remain accountable to Parliament and the public. Without an opposition, the government might still introduce and pass laws, and members could still vote, but debate would lose an important independent check. Option A is therefore correct. Option B is not the best answer because law-making may continue even without an opposition, although its quality and scrutiny could suffer. Option C is wrong because voting is a procedure that can still occur when Parliament meets. Option D is wrong because a census is the collection of population information, not a core parliamentary opposition function. A helpful memory cue is “opposition = democratic watchdog.” A watchdog does not run the house; it observes, questions, warns, and exposes possible misuse of power. This role strengthens accountability and informed public debate.