Backbenchers Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are three primary functions of backbench MPs in Parliament?
The three main functions are: 1) representing constituents, 2) scrutinising government, and 3) legislating, particularly through Private Members’ Bills and participation in bill committees.
How do backbench MPs represent their constituents in practice?
MPs represent constituents by writing to the government on their behalf, holding constituency surgeries, and raising their concerns in parliamentary debates.
How can backbenchers initiate legislation without government support?
Through Private Members’ Bills — bills introduced by backbenchers rather than ministers. While not always successful, they can become law and raise important issues.
Give a key example of a backbench MP introducing a bill based on a constituent’s experience.
Andrew Stephenson MP introduced a Private Members’ Bill to create a right of appeal against Crown Court bail decisions after his constituent Jane Clough was murdered by her partner who had been released on bail.
What data supports the claim that Parliament has become more descriptively representative?
In 2024, 41% of MPs were female (up from 118 in 2001), 63% were educated in comprehensives, 62 MPs were LGBTQ+, and 90 were from ethnic minority backgrounds — 14% of the Commons, close to the 18% of the UK population identifying as non-white in the 2021 census.
What argument is made for the significance of descriptive representation in Parliament?
The director of British Future argued that greater diversity makes Parliament more empathetic and better equipped to raise and understand issues affecting different communities due to MPs’ lived experiences.
What example is used to critique the reliability of descriptive representation?
Tulip Siddiq, an Anglo-Asian MP praised for representing British Asians, was implicated in a corruption investigation involving her family’s ties to Bangladeshi leadership and property dealings — suggesting personal identity doesn’t guarantee representative behaviour.
Why might legislative functions be considered more important than representation?
Backbench MPs serve on public bill committees, scrutinising legislation clause by clause, and introduce Private Members’ Bills which can lead to major laws like the Abortion Act and Murder Act.
How successful have Private Members’ Bills been recently?
In 2023, 16 of 20 PMBs selected in the ballot became law — including the Shark Fins Act 2023. From 2010–2024, 410 PMBs passed into law, showing their increasing legislative impact.
How was the Assisted Dying Bill in 2024 significant for backbench legislative activity?
The bill’s second reading led to substantive debate across party lines, proving that backbenchers can engage the Commons on complex ethical issues, showing that actions, not identity, may be the better measure of representation.
In what ways do backbench MPs exercise scrutiny over the government?
Through backbench rebellions, questions during PMQs, urgent questions, service on select committees, and challenging ministers’ conduct — including during public scandals.
Provide a recent example of backbench rebellion on a government motion.
In December 2023, Conservative backbenchers rebelled and joined opposition MPs to defeat the government on speeding up compensation for infected blood scandal victims.
What happened when Labour backbenchers defied the party whip in 2024?
Seven Labour MPs voted for an SNP amendment to abolish the two-child benefit cap and were suspended for 6 months, showing the conflict between representing constituents and party loyalty.
How did Jess Phillips MP act in alignment with her constituents in 2024?
Phillips resigned from Labour’s front bench to vote with SNP led ammendment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, likely influenced by her largely Muslim Birmingham constituents who strongly opposed Israeli military action.
She wrote in her resignation letter ‘On this occasion, i must vote with my contstituents, my head, and my heart
Why might such acts of defiance be seen more as scrutiny than representation?
Challenging frontbench decisions — like in Jess Phillips’ case — can be interpreted as a form of scrutiny rather than pure constituent advocacy.
What example shows that MPs often prioritise their careers over constituents?
Christian Wakeford, Lee Anderson, and Dan Poulter all defected to different parties without calling by-elections — ignoring constituents who voted based on party label.
How did the Wright Committee reforms empower backbenchers?
Chairs of Select Committees are now elected by MPs via secret ballot, not appointed by whips, boosting independence and reducing party control.
How have Select Committees demonstrated their scrutiny power?
The Home Affairs Committee exposed misleading claims by Amber Rudd over deportation targets during the Windrush scandal — leading to her resignation.
What role did the Privileges Committee play in Boris Johnson’s resignation?
Their investigation concluded he misled Parliament over Partygate, prompting his resignation in 2023.
How is chairing a Select Committee now seen as a viable career path?
MPs like Emily Thornberry (Foreign Relations Committee) and Marie Tidbull (sought Education Committee chair shortly after entering Parliament) show it’s an alternative to frontbenching, offering scrutiny power and influence.
How are backbenchers recognised for strong committee work?
Darren Jones was appointed Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2023 after excelling as Business Committee Chair. Jess Phillips and other former chairs were also promoted to cabinet roles in 2024.
How do PMQs and urgent questions give backbenchers visibility and scrutiny power?
MPs like Rebecca Paul (raised winter fuel cuts) and Tahir Ali (accused PM of bloodshed over Gaza) use PMQs for visibility. From 2019–2024, Speaker Hoyle granted 440 urgent questions, enhancing backbench scrutiny.
Why do MPs in marginal seats focus more on representation?
With the 2024 general election delivering an average majority of just 700 (down from 11,200 in 2019), MPs are under more pressure to be responsive and visible to avoid electoral defeat.
What did the May 2025 Runcorn by-election reveal about backbench vulnerability?
Reform won a traditionally safe Labour seat, showing how neglecting local representation can cost MPs even in supposed strongholds.
