back benchers

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralBritish

   Members of a parliament who are not ministers or senior opposition spokespeople and sit on the back benches.

   Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is 'back bencher'. Takes a plural verb: 'back benchers are unhappy'.

   Patterns

   • a group of back benchers
   • back benchers from all parties
   • rebel back benchers

   Several back benchers voted against the government's plan.

   The prime minister met a group of back benchers to discuss the bill.

   Back benchers often have more freedom to criticize their own party.

2. 2nounpluralfigurative

   Ordinary members of an organization or team who have no leading role.

   Grammar: Used figuratively; still plural, with the singular 'back bencher'.

   Patterns

   • the back benchers of something

   In the company, the back benchers rarely get invited to strategy meetings.

   He was one of the back benchers on the committee, with little influence.

Word forms

Common combinations

rebel back benchers

Rebel back benchers forced the leadership to change the policy.

a revolt by back benchers

There was a revolt by back benchers over the new tax.

back benchers from all parties

Back benchers from all parties supported the amendment.

a group of back benchers

A group of back benchers demanded a debate.

Synonyms and how they differ

rank and file

This means the ordinary members of a group, not just in politics, and does not suggest a seating position.

private members

In some parliaments this refers to members without government roles, but it is a formal term used in specific procedures.

Opposites

Word family

back bench noun

The seats at the back of a parliament where these members sit.

backbencher noun

One-word spelling of the singular form.

Commonly confused: back benchers or front benchers?

Practice

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