noun
- members of a legislature who are not government ministers or opposition leaders and sit in the back rows of the chamber
Usage: British political term; plural form
Examples
- The backbenchers voiced their concerns about the proposed legislation.
- Many backbenchers felt excluded from important policy decisions.
- The prime minister struggled to maintain support among the backbenchers.
- Backbenchers often represent the views of ordinary party members.
- The rebellion was led by a group of Conservative backbenchers.
- New backbenchers learned the parliamentary procedures quickly.