1. the seats in a legislature occupied by members who are not government ministers or opposition leaders
Usage: British politics
2. the members of a legislature who sit on the backbenches
Usage: British politics

1. relating to or characteristic of backbench members of parliament
Usage: British politics

Examples

• The backbench MPs voiced their concerns about the new policy.
• She spent several years on the backbench before being promoted to minister.
• Backbench rebellion forced the government to reconsider the bill.
• The prime minister faced criticism from his own backbench supporters.
• Backbench members rarely get media attention compared to cabinet ministers.
• The backbench revolt surprised political observers.
• He returned to the backbench after losing his ministerial position.