In British-style parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a member of parliament who doesn’t hold government office and isn’t a spokesperson of the opposition. They’re essentially a rank and file ...

Lord Varys in Game of Thrones. In November, 2023 then-Premier of the Cayman Islands Wayne Panton faced a motion of no ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Backbenchers are less inclined to be loyal to their party leadership and more likely to speak out ...

Mitya Pearson receives funding from the Leverhulme Trust. As far as the UK government is concerned, its backbenchers are “the most important Members in the House [of Commons]”. This simple insight, ...

Scott Morrison made three foolish and arrogant assumptions this week when he embarked on trying to push his controversial religious discrimination legislation through parliament. The government is ...

Labour MP Mick Whitley has introduced a bill to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, with the goal of creating “a people-focused and rights-based approach” to ensure all ...

Tonight's expected rebellion by backbench Labour MPs could be the first of many as Keir Starmer struggles to keep control of his party in power. The government was forced into a U-turn on the welfare ...