backbencher

[ bak-ben-cher, -ben- ]

noun

1. any of the members of a legislature, especially of the House of Commons of Great Britain, but not including the leaders of the parties.

backbencher

/ ˈbækˈbɛntʃə /

noun

1. a Member of Parliament who does not hold office in the government or opposition

Word History and Origins

Origin of backbencher¹

First recorded in 1905–10; back bench + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Private members' bills are pieces of legislation proposed by backbenchers, rather than the government.

From BBC

Plans to legalise assisted dying are expected to require a vote of politicians in the Welsh Parliament before they become law, two senior Labour backbenchers have told BBC Wales.

From BBC

She was responding to an urgent question from one of her own backbenchers after it emerged the main Arran ferry MV Caledonian Isles may be out of action all winter.

From BBC

“They don’t want a vibrant Congress where great questions are debated and decided in front of the American people. They don’t want empowered members. They want discouraged and bored backbenchers.”

From Salon

Private members' bills rarely make it into law without government backing but they are an opportunity for backbenchers to raise an issue’s profile.

From BBC