The role of the backbench MP in the Westminster system of parliament is generally undervalued. Backbenchers make up almost all of the House of Commons and, despite being denied a similar platform to members of the ministerial team or shadow cabinet, play a significant role in the lawmaking process, in checking the administration, and in promoting their interests as they see them or their constituents.
By developing comprehensive knowledge of specific areas of subjects, backbenchers can contribute greatly to both committee work and discussion on bills. They can successfully examine new legislation and promote well-informed policy changes thanks to their experience. Being a member of select committees that monitor government agencies gives one the opportunity to shape policy and hold the government responsible. The wide-ranging work of Sir David Amess on the Health Select Committee between 1998 and 2007 is one such example of how policy knowledge can be utilized in producing significant investigations and reports, such as the 2004 study on obesity in the UK.
Exploring the Backbenchers in UK Parliament
The success of a backbench MP depends on his or her parliamentary and constituency work, not their titles. They take the lead on issues and frequently support causes for many years. They gain specialized knowledge in important policy areas, establish enduring connections with the media to promote those causes, and regularly make meaningful, perceptive, and resolute contributions to House debates. Their ability to introduce significant Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) while having little chance of victory is a defining characteristic of their success. They maintain subjects that could otherwise go unnoticed on the political agenda by bringing up neglected issues and fostering cross-party support.
Their speeches are thought-provoking, convincing, and delivered with the aim of persuasion and not just acting. Additionally, constituency work is essential. By combining casework empathy with the strategic acumen to bring up concerns in Parliament, the most effective backbenchers are visible in their local communities and promote local causes with national resonance.
Can UK Backbenchers propose new laws?
Introducing Private Members’ Bills is one of the simple methods through which backbenchers can propose new bills or changes. Although these proposals have little hope of becoming laws, they can help raise awareness of issues and encourage the government to take action. Legislation to cover specific issues can be introduced by backbenchers, as in the case of legislation sponsored by Sir David Amess, the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, and the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988. To be a good representative, one ought to give good speeches, as well as engage in the legislative process. Engaging in debates regularly also demonstrates commitment towards supporting the process of legislation and the constituents.
The most essential backbench office is the constituency representatives; regardless of whether they voted for the MP being discussed or not, constituents certainly rely mostly on them to represent them in parliament and get their concerns addressed seriously. Constituents can meet with their MPs and send emails to express their problems and issues to the government. Prime Minister’s questions provides the backbenchers with the opportunity to address the prime minister directly on matters of concern to their constituents. The backbenchers can also exert an unofficial agenda-setting influence through the power of putting unpleasant issues on the parliamentary agenda via Prime Minister’s Questions, through the priority given to their bills, and through the Opposition Day debate.
In 2010, the Commons Backbench Business Committee was created with the support of all sides as well. All the decisions are formally voted on, and they address issues that probably would never be discussed in government time. It has been the focus of 300 debates in the coalition administration through to the end of 2010, touching on matters as the Hillsborough tragedy up to the capacity of prisoners to vote. Also, as discussed above, they can make a difference when they sit in committees, which presents backbenchers with the perfect opportunity to be listened to throughout the process of legislation. Backbenchers are not usually active in these activities, which makes participating in the process and direct involvement in the legislative process challenging.
Backbenchers who changed UK law
Some are known to be the best backbench people, like the late Sir David Amess. He was an indefatigable campaigner who made the subject of endometriosis, child safety, and animal wellbeing known to us all through all possible means, including PMQs, adjournment debates, Early Day Motions, and charity events. He also worked with queer friends all over the house to pass a lot of PMBs and hardly missed a chance to raise issues that touched his constituents. He was good at realizing that persistence, humour, and being clear can go a long way, especially when ministers wish that awkward questions would fade away. The following individuals have already begun to demonstrate the qualities of excellent backbenchers:
- Sam Carling (Labour, North West Cambridgeshire): At just 22, Carling is one of Parliament’s youngest members. His sharp focus on education, youth engagement, and social mobility has brought him early recognition.
- Josh Dean (Labour, Hertford and Stortford): A bold win in a former Conservative seat, Dean has quickly become known for his environmental advocacy and strategic media use.
- Scotland has the youngest Member of Parliament in Euan Stainbank (Labour, Falkirk), who is 24. He introduced himself as a younger Scot and discussed housing reforms
- Melanie Onn (Labour, Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes): Onn is returning flood defenses and coastal economy to national attention after a hiatus.
- Veteran services and mental health treatment have been raised in PMQs and discussions by former Royal Marine and humanitarian worker Alex Ballinger (Labour, Halesowen).
- Matt Bishop (Labour, Forest of Dean): Bishop has already gained a reputation on cross-party select committees for coolness in matters to do with justice and anti-terror.
- Alison Griffiths, a Conservative representing Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, is now a key figure in technology and internet safety laws due to her extensive knowledge of online security.
By a Private Bill, by committee, by a mere but effective intervention at the bar of the chamber, the finest backbenchers never squander their mouths, and Parliament is the better.
Challenges faced by Backbenchers proposing new laws
Successful backbenchers are often dogged champions of things they hold dear to their hearts. They use several parliamentary strategies to facilitate change, including sponsoring bills, participating in debates, and using interest groups. Among the finest illustrations of Sir David Amess’ engagement in animal welfare is his management of animal welfare campaigns against the outlawing of game bird cages and the export of living animals, as illustrative of how a determined endeavour could lead to legislative reforms.
The technique of attracting media and popular interest to crucial matters is extremely useful in the media-driven world of today. Successful use of media by backbenchers will disseminate their messages, appeal to the masses, and pressure the government into action. By creating a social media presence, making appearances in the press, and opinion opinions, an MP can have a massive influence.
How do backbenchers influence policy beyond lawmaking?
In light of a combination of legislative achievement, policy experience, media impact, and campaign success:
- Sir David Amess is an ever-busy champion, chamber-master, and patron of hundreds of private member bills. An illustration of making backbench life matter can be found in this textbook.
- Harriet Harman: The so-called Mother of the House was an independent and aggressive woman who held governments responsible and promoted change in the legislature and equality between the sexes.
- Frank Field: A well-respected independent welfare and poverty theorist. famous, as an ability to work across party lines and wield influence without noisy but quietly effective results.
- Caroline Lucas: Lucas is the only Green Party member of parliament over the years, and she has had to bring environmental and climate concerns into the mainstream of the legislative debate.
- Julian Lewis: He is a respected member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, and this has made him an expert on issues relating to defense and intelligence.
- Chris Mullin: Notorious for working with the Birmingham Six and his unrelenting campaign against legal injustice; powerful even when not a minister.
Differences between government bills and backbench bills
Backbenchers of Parliament or members of the Lords introduce private members’ bills, also known as backbench bills, instead of the government. Their goal, like that of other public bills, is to alter the law as it pertains to the broader public. Private members’ bills seldom become law, although they can indirectly influence legislation by raising awareness of a problem. Since ballot bills have priority throughout the allotted debate period, they have the best chance of becoming law. Unless otherwise agreed, a ballot is used to draw the names of members who are applying for a bill on the second Thursday of a legislative session. The likelihood of a day-long debate is highest for the first seven proposals on the ballot. On the fifth sitting of a parliamentary session, ballot bills are presented formally for the first time without debate.
Ten-minute role
The House of Commons in the United Kingdom has a procedure known as the Ten Minute Rule, or Standing Order No. 23, that permits the introduction of bills by private members to supplement the 20 bills that generally may be introduced per session. The first reading of a bill can be given in this manner. Although the Ten Minute Rule allows any MP to introduce a bill, backbenchers are the only ones who actually use it. The MP in issue must be the first person to enter the Public Bill Office on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, fifteen working days (often three weeks) before the date they want to propose their bill to be eligible to do so. MPs have been known to overnight outside the Public Bill Office to secure a slot because of the rule’s popularity and the difficulties of introducing a private member’s bill through other channels.