Backbenchers Flashcards
what are backbenchers?
regular MPs that do not hold ministerial or shadow ministerial positions
what are the main roles and jobs of backbenchers?
question and scrutinise the government (e.g. through PMQs)
get involved in select committees
vote in line with their party (known as obeying the whip)
represent constituents
involve themselves in legislation (e.g. private members bills)
Backbench Business Committee (set up by the Wright Commission) — chooses debates for the backbench debate time
what are backbenchers protected by?
backbenchers are protected by Parliamentary privilege which is the right to speak freely in debates within parliament without being subject to outside influence like the law
parliamentary privilege includes immunity from being sued for libel but does not mean they cannot be prosecuted for criminal activity (e.g. 2009 expenses scandal)
this allows them to carry out their functions more effectively
what are the limitations on the influence of backbenchers?
adjournment debate, 10 minute rule (they are limited in what they can say in debates)
private members bills are rarely successful and there are problems with filibustering
the government has a majority in public bill committees
party whips
are backbenchers increasing in power?
some say backbenchers are playing an increasingly significant role in Parliament, especially in scrutinising the government and holding them to account
there has been a rise in backbench rebellions (coalition MPs rebelled 35% of the time)
there has also been an increase in the use of urgent questions
Backbench Business Committee
evidence for backbenchers becoming increasingly significant in parliament
evidence for backbenchers becoming increasingly significant in parliament, especially in terms of holding the government account and scrutinising government activity…
- Backbench Business Committee
- rise in backbench rebellions
- increase in the use of urgent questions
Backbench Business Committee
The Background Business Committee was created in 2010 and allows backbenchers to choose the topic of debate for 35 days per Parliamentary session
Some subjects are chosen in response to e-petitions signed by members of the public (100,000 signatures are required for a subject to qualify, e.g. Grenfell Tower achieved this)
This has led to debates on some subjects that may have otherwise been overlooked or ignored
For example, a debate in 2015 led to the introduction of Harvey’s law which obliges the Highways Agency to notify owners of pets killed on the road
The BBBC also responds to proposals that command cross-party support and so there is an incentive for MPs to work together to request a debate
rise in backbench rebellions
There has been an increase in the amount of backbench rebellions against government measures
Coalition MPs rebelled in 35% of divisions during the 2010 to 15 Parliament, whereas government rebellions under Labour from 2005 to 10 was only 28%
This shows an increase in rebellions and this increase may discourage the government from proceeding with unpopular or controversial legislation rather than risking an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons at the hands of rebellious backbenchers
For example in 2013 the coalition government dropped its House of Lords reform bill after the second reading because of this
increase in the use of urgent questions
aside from a rise in backbench rebellions, there has also been an increase in the use of urgent questions
Urgent questions are subject to approval from the speaker of the House and allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring an immediate answer from a government minister
During 2009 to 13, There were 3547 urgent questions but only 1234 from 2000 to 2009
This shows an increased willingness to scrutinise the government and hold them to account, It also demonstrates that there are now more opportunities to do so than ever before
For example, in 2017 Damian Green, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was summoned to answer an urgent question from a Labour MP regarding changes to Personal Independent Payments which is a benefit paid to disabled people
limits on the influence of backbenchers: no guaranteed success
no guaranteed success — MPs can use various methods to draw attention to issues but this does not mean they will succeed in getting any action taken
Adjournment debate — After official business is over, there is an opportunity to raise a question and a minister will reply
10 minute rule — Allows MPs to speak for 10 minutes on their chosen subject before the official business begins
but There are limits on what backbenchers can say and the only result is usually just an airing of concern, no action is usually taken as a result
limits on the influence of backbenchers: public bill committees
Public bill committees — Allows MPs chances to propose amendments to legislation and scrutinise clauses in the bills
but the government tends to have a majority on these committees and will use this majority to introduce its own amendments rather than listening to proposals from opposition MPs
limits on the influence of backbenchers: power of patronage and party loyalty
The power of patronage and party loyalty is reinforced by party whips
This limits the influence backbenchers can have in the House of Commons and means that they are less likely to act independently
They may choose to obey the party whip in order to be considered for promotion in return for their loyalty
However, backbenchers in the House of Lords are usually established figures in their own fields and many are retired politicians, therefore the promise of a government post cannot influence them in the same way it would an MP
Backbenchers in the House of Lords are therefore more likely to act independently and there is a growing number of cross-benchers in the Lords with no party affiliation which reinforces this independence
