back benches
Legislators without portfolios
The back benches are the seats in a parliament occupied by rank-and-file members who hold no ministerial or shadow cabinet positions.
These members—backbenchers—sit literally behind their party's leadership on the front benches.
The term implies distance from power: She spent years on the back benches before her appointment.
A backbench rebellion occurs when these members vote against their own party's position.
National legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- House of CommonsElected parliamentary chamber
- frontbenchersSenior governing politicians
- whipsFlexible striking instruments
crossbenchers · opposition · constituency · committees · bills · amendments · motions · debates
Unknown identity state
- invisibilityState of being unseen
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
- unknownNot yet discovered
sidelined · peripheral · marginalized · eclipsed · backwater · rank-and-file · unheard · powerless
Emotive verbal outbursts
- questionsRequests for information
- speechesFormal spoken presentations
- debatesFormal argumentative exchanges
- contributionsThings given to help
feedback · input · attendance · presence · voting record · engagement · dialogue · opinions
Desire for achievement
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- frontbenchSenior legislators' seating area
- careerLifelong occupational pursuit
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
progression · waiting game · loyalty · networking · patronage · reshuffle · opportunity · grooming
parliament
National legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- House of CommonsElected parliamentary chamber
- frontbenchersSenior governing politicians
whips · crossbenchers · opposition · constituency · committees · bills · amendments · motions · debates · voting
anonymity
Unknown identity state
- invisibilityState of being unseen
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
unknown · sidelined · peripheral · marginalized · eclipsed · backwater · rank-and-file · unheard · powerless · waiting
interjections
Emotive verbal outbursts
- questionsRequests for information
- speechesFormal spoken presentations
- debatesFormal argumentative exchanges
contributions · feedback · input · attendance · presence · voting record · engagement · dialogue · opinions · perspectives
ambition
Desire for achievement
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- frontbenchSenior legislators' seating area
- careerLifelong occupational pursuit
apprenticeship · progression · waiting game · loyalty · networking · patronage · reshuffle · opportunity · grooming · experience
back benchesfrontbench
Senior legislators' seating area
front bench · front benches · cabinet · shadow cabinet · leadership
back benchesfront benches
Senior MPs' designated rows
party leadership · cabinet positions · portfolios · corridors of power