Role and Significance of Backbenchers

What are backbenchers?

Members of parliament who do not have ministerial roles

In what ways can backbenchers influence policy and legislation?

• Introducing Private Members bills- eg 1967 Abortion Act

• Vote on the bill

• Debate legislation and alter the content of the bill at the second reading

• Participation in parliamentary committees

What is a backbencher’s ability to influence legislation seriously limited by?

• party discipline

• Patronage

• In 2019-21- 92% of all bills passed were private member bills

• Tony Blair didn’t lose a single vote in 8 years

• Public Bill Committee- membership chosen by the whips, compromised of the majority party- limits opposition’s ability to scrutinise legislation as MP’s just vote along party lines

• 99% of Ministerial Amendments are passed

Who must backbenchers scrutinise?

The government

How can backbenchers hold the government to account?

Departmental select committees

How are chairs/membership of select committees chosen ?

By a secret ballot amongst MP’s

What is the role of select committees?

To hold to account government departments

• Dominic Cummings questioned for 7 hours

What do select committees produce?

Detailed reports, summarising their findings and make recommendations- government must respond within 60 days

What is the nature of the work carried out by select committees?

• Consensual not combative in nature

What are MPs less concerned with in a select committee?

Political Point Scoring

What happens if a minister fails to provide satisfactory answers to a select committee?

It could have serious repercussions on their career and reputation

What is a key example of a minister failing to provide satisfactory answers and suffering the consequences?

Amber Rudd- 2018, Wind rush Scandal- questioned by the Home Affairs Committee where she denied having knowledge that the Home Office had set migrant removal targets when she did.

What are some limitations to select committees carrying out a scrutinising role?

• Their recommendations can be ignored

• PM’s are not required to meet with the liaison committee- Johnson avoided it- meant he could avoid grilling on the pandemic

• Government accept only 40% of recommendations- rarely make a significant impact

• Not always politically neutral- Julian Lewis criticised Johnsons Brexit Policy and was then elected as chair of Parliamentary intelligence committee- had whip withdraw and could no longer stand as conservative MP

What is the impact of select committees dependent on?

Whether or not the government agrees with their verdict

How can backbenchers hold the government to account in a highly televised manner?

Through PMQ’s

What do PMQ’s allow MP’s to do?

Hold gov to account by raising awareness of key issues ina highly televised manner

What are the limitations of PMQ’s?

• Political point scoring

• Doesn’t allow for in-depth scrutiny

• “Punch and Judy” politics

• PM’s can use it to their advantage- Johnson presented as misunderstood during partygate

• “Soft questioning”

• Theatrical nature

Essay plan:

1. Impact on policy/legislation- work of public bill committees

2. PMQs-ability to bring attention to key issues

3. Role of select Committee

4. ? Backbench rebellions