House Of Commons

Question 1

What is a backbench MP?

Answer 1

With regard to the Party in power, a backbench MP is one who is not a member of the Government – i.e. not one of the 80-120 ministers, nor a member of the Cabinet (in which role their title is usually Secretary of State).

Question 2

What’s an MP?

Answer 2

A person who has been elected to represent a “constituency” of people – an artificially defined geographic area comprising anything from 65,000-70,000 people a.k.a. a seat

Question 3

What are the MP constituency roles?

Answer 3

1. Holding weekly surgeries for constituents in the constituency when the Commons is least busy ( Fri/Sat). Political commentators may refer to MPs ‘returning to their constituencies’ at the weekend. Can take place anywhere the MP wants to do it.
2. Writing to departmental ministers about issues raised by constituents.
3. Asking written or oral questions in the House of Commons at Question Time – that includes PMQs on Wednesday as well as to other departmental ministers when they are due to speak.
4. Getting other MPs to endorse an EDM – an Early Day Motion. An EDM is a way of raising an issue of concern to them or their constituents in Parliament. It puts it on the public record.
5. They can ask the Speaker of the House of Commons (currently Sir Lindsay Hoyle) to allow an adjournment debate, emergency debate or e-petition debate (see later.)
6. A Humble Address – very old principle – where an Opposition MP (usually a frontbencher) asks the Monarch to release govt papers. A debate may follow and if a majority say yes, the result is binding. Needs enough oppo, gov and other MPs to say yes.
7. Introduce Private Members Bills (PMBs) – a form of primary legislation. If a PMB becomes law, that is the law of the land like any Bill that becomes law.
8. Help co-ordinate e-Petitions for constituents/general public https://petition.parliament.uk/

Question 4

What 3 ways is the “Whip” expressed in?

Answer 4

1. The Whips – these are individuals (MPs or peers) whose job it is to encourage MPs to vote with the Government (the Opposition have their whips too) when it comes to Parliamentary issues
2. The Party Whip/Withdrawing the Whip - This is an expression with the same meaning as “membership” of the Parliamentary Party.
   The Parliamentary Party is the membership, in Parliament, of MPs belonging to any particular Party.

This refers to a disciplinary measure against MPs who are regarded as having done something they should not. It’s equivalent to being thrown out the Party.

3. Whipped voting - Each week, the Parties circulate a document to their MPs in Parliament which is generally known as “The Whip”. This details the Parliamentary business coming up which may include voting on bills.
   Free Vote - concerns non-party political issues.

A one line whip - attendance not mandatory, but if present MPs are expected to vote in line with the Party Policy.

A two line whip - MPs must attend unless “paired” with an opposition MP. Pairing is an important concept. It is formal arrangement, made between MPs on opposing parties, to each be absent during some votes in the House of Commons.

A three line whip - Attendance and support for the government (or the Opposition) in a vote is mandatory – it is compulsory and not optional.