a level politics backbenchers essay

Backbenchers

Backbenchers are MPs in the House of Commons and members of the House of Lords that are not part of the government or the opposition party’s leadership team.

Backbenchers as Representatives

• Backbenchers represent UK citizens through impacting on laws and scrutinising the government.
• Backbenchers in the House of Commons represent the interests of the citizens in their constituency.

Government policy and legislation

• Backbenchers in the House of Commons represent their constituents' interests and should vote on legislation in a way which meets their constituents’ interests.
• House of Lords' backbenchers look to improve legislation.
• All backbenchers can speak in Parliamentary debates over legislation.
• Backbenchers can participate in voting in favour of or against legislation.
• Backbenchers are members of standing committees which review bills in detail.
• Backbenchers can put forward Private Members’ bills.

Government scrutiny

• Backbenchers scrutinise the government and hold it accountable for its actions.
• Backbenchers can question government ministers during Question time and the Prime Minister in Prime Minister’s Questions on their policies and actions to ensure they are held to account.
• Backbenchers make up and chair select committees which scrutinise government departments.
• Backbench MPs can write questions to ministers about issues which impact their constituents which ministers must reply to.

Party delegates

• Backbenchers are expected to support their party in Parliament.
• Backbenchers of the party in government are expected to not overly criticise the government and to follow the party line when voting.
• Backbenchers of the opposition parties have a role to oppose the government through criticism in ministers questions and voting against government policies.

Parliamentary privilege

• Parliamentary privilege enables backbenchers to carry out their roles, particularly representing the electorate’s interests through having free speech.
• Parliamentary privilege ensures that MPs and members of the House of Lords can freely debate on any issue without interference.
• MPs used their parliamentary privilege during the Ryan Giggs affair to name the footballer who had taken out an injunction over an affair.

Significance of Backbenchers

Backbenchers can have a significant role, but party whips can reduce this, as well as how willing the government is to support private members' bills and select committees

Significant role: rebellions

• Backbenchers often make up the majority of a party in Parliament. The government’s backbenchers are important to pass legislation.
• Backbench rebellions can change the direction of government policy.
• In 2012, 91 Conservative backbenchers voted against coalition government plans for House of Lords reform.

Significant role: constituency

• Backbenchers are important for the voices of their constituencies to be heard - and can spend more time in their constituencies because they are not ministers. -Rebelling backbenchers often prioritise their constituency.

Significant role: other

• Backbenchers can change public policy by introducing Private Members’ Bills.
• Backbenchers in committees can hold government ministers to account and research policies.

Not significant role

• If a ‘three-line whip’ is enacted, backbenchers risk being removed from their party and having to sit as an independent in parliament if they vote against the party’s position.
• Private members’ bills are rarely successful, especially if the government doesn’t back them.
• Select committees are often ignored by the Government.

1 Democracy & Participation

1.1 Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1 Direct Democracy

1.1.2 Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy

1.1.3 Representative Democracy

1.1.4 Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy

1.1.5 Comparing Types of Democracy

1.1.6 Case for Democratic Reform

1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy

1.1.8 Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2 Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1 History of the UK Franchise

1.2.2 Campaigns for Suffrage

1.2.3 End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3 Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1 Types of Pressure Group

1.3.2 Functions of Pressure Groups

1.3.3 How Pressure Groups Influence

1.3.4 Case-Study Examples

1.3.5 Other Collective Orgs & Groups

1.3.6 End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences

1.3.7 Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4 Rights in Context

1.4.1 Development of Rights in the UK

1.4.2 The UK's Rights-Based Culture

1.4.3 End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2 Political Parties

2.1 How Political Parties Work

2.1.1 Functions & Features of UK Political Parties

2.1.2 Funding of UK Political Parties

2.1.3 UK Funding Reform

2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Political Parties

2.1.5 Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2 Established Political Parties

2.2.1 The Conservative Party: History

2.2.2 The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders

2.2.3 The Labour Party

2.2.4 The Liberal Democrat Party

2.2.5 Ideas & Policies of UK Parties

2.2.6 End of Topic Test - Established Parties

2.2.7 Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3 Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1 Minority Parties

2.3.2 Minority Parties Case Studies

2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4 UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1 Different Party Systems

2.4.2 Political Spectrum

2.4.3 Factors Affecting Party Success

2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Parties in Context

2.4.5 Application Questions - Parties in Context

3 Electoral Systems

3.1 Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1 FPTP & STV

3.1.2 AMS & SV

3.1.3 End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems

3.1.4 Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2 Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1 Case For & Against Referendums

3.2.2 End of Topic Test - Referendums

3.2.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3 Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1 Electoral System Analysis

3.3.2 End of Topic Test - System Analysis

3.3.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4 Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1 General Election Case Studies

4.1.1 Case Studies of Elections

4.1.2 Factors Influencing Voting in Elections

4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors

4.1.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2 Media Influence

4.2.1 Media Influence

4.2.2 End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5 Conservatism

5.1 Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1 Pragmatism & Tradition

5.1.2 Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State

5.1.3 Authority & Hierarchy

5.1.4 Paternalism

5.1.5 Empiricism

5.1.6 Anti-Permissiveness

5.1.7 Radical Conservative Ideas

5.1.8 End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2 Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1 Traditional Conservatism

5.2.2 One-Nation Conservatism

5.2.3 New Right Conservatism

5.2.4 End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3 Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1 Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke

5.3.2 Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand

5.3.3 Robert Nozick

5.3.4 End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers

5.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism

6 Liberalism

6.1 Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1 Individualism & Freedom/Liberty

6.1.2 The State & Rationalism

6.1.3 Equality & Social Justice

6.1.4 Liberal Democracy

6.1.5 Other Important Liberal Ideas

6.1.6 End of Topic Test - Liberalism

6.2 Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1 Classical Liberalism

6.2.2 Modern Liberalism

6.2.3 End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views

6.3 Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1 John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft

6.3.2 John Stuart Mill & John Rawls

6.3.3 Betty Friedan

6.3.4 End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.5 A-A* - Liberalism

7 Socialism

7.1 Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1 Fraternity & Co-operation

7.1.2 Capitalism & Common Ownership

7.1.3 Communism

7.1.4 Collectivism

7.1.5 Common Humanity

7.1.6 Equality

7.1.7 Social Class & Workers' Control

7.1.8 End of Topic Test - Socialism

7.2 Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1 Differing Views And Tensions

7.2.2 End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions

7.3 Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1 Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels

7.3.2 Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg

7.3.3 Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens

7.3.4 End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

7.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism

8 The UK Constitution

8.1 Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1 Development of the UK Constitution

8.1.2 Nature of the UK Constitution

8.1.3 Sources of the UK Constitution

8.1.4 End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources

8.2 Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1 Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 1

8.2.2 Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 2

8.2.3 Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015

8.2.4 End of Topic Test - Reform

8.2.5 Application Questions - Reform

8.3 Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1 Devolution in England & Scotland

8.3.2 Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland

8.3.3 End of Topic Test - Devolution

8.4 Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1 Constitutional Reform & Devolution

8.4.2 Should the Constitution Be Codified?

8.4.3 End of Topic Test - Reform Debates

8.4.4 Application Questions - Codification & Devolution

9 The UK Parliament

9.1 Houses of Parliament

9.1.1 Houses of Parliament

9.1.2 Functions of the House of Commons

9.1.3 Functions of the House of Lords

9.1.4 End of Topic Test - Parliament

9.1.5 Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament

9.2 Comparative Powers

9.2.1 Comparative Powers of the Houses

9.2.2 End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers

9.3 Legislative Process

9.3.1 Legislative Stages

9.3.2 Law-Making in the two Houses

9.3.3 End of Topic Test - Legislative Process

9.4 Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1 Backbenchers

9.4.2 Select Committees

9.4.3 The Opposition

9.4.4 Ministerial Question Time

9.4.5 End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

9.4.6 Application Questions - Parliament & Executive

10 The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1 The Executive

10.1.1 Structure of the Executive

10.1.2 Roles of the Executive

10.1.3 Powers of the Executive

10.1.4 End of Topic Test - PM & Executive

10.2 Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1 Individual Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.2 Collective Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.3 End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility

10.3 Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1 Role of the Prime Minister

10.3.2 Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.3 Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.4 Role of the Cabinet

10.3.5 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations

10.3.6 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power

10.3.7 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies

10.3.8 End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet

10.3.9 Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet

11 Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1 The Supreme Court

11.1.1 Role & Composition

11.1.2 Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court

11.1.3 End of Topic Test - Supreme Court

11.2 Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1 Parliament & Executive: Questions

11.2.2 Parliament & Executive: Committees

11.2.3 Parliament & Executive: Voting

11.2.4 Executive Dominance Over Parliament

11.2.5 Balance of Power

11.2.6 End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

11.2.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government

11.3 The European Union & the UK

11.3.1 Aims & Policy Making of the European Union

11.3.2 End of Topic Test - EU & UK

11.4 Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1 Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.2 End of Topic Test - Sovereignty

12 US Constitution & Federalism

12.1 Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1 Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.2 Nature: Positives & Negatives

12.1.3 Constitutional Framework

12.1.4 The Amendment Process

12.1.5 End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution

12.2 Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1 Federalism

12.2.2 Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

12.2.3 Bipartisanship

12.2.4 Limited Government

12.2.5 End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles

12.3 Federalism

12.3.1 Main Characteristics

12.3.2 Federal Government and the States

12.3.3 End of Topic Test - Federalism

12.4 Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1 Democracy in the Constitution

12.4.2 Federalism

12.4.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

12.4.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution

13 US Congress

13.1 Structure of Congress

13.1.1 Structure of Congress

13.1.2 Distribution of Powers

13.1.3 End of Topic Test - Congress Structure

13.2 Functions of Congress

13.2.1 Representation

13.2.2 Legislative

13.2.3 Oversight

13.2.4 End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress

13.3 Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1 Changing Roles & Powers

13.3.2 Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers

13.3.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

13.3.4 Application Questions - US Congress

14 US Presidency

14.1 Presidential Power

14.1.1 Formal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.2 Informal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.3 Powers of Persuasion

14.1.4 End of Topic Test - Presidential Power

14.2 The Presidency

14.2.1 President Relationship with Other Institutions

14.2.2 Limitations on Presidential Power

14.2.3 US Presidents Achieving Their Aims

14.2.4 End of Topic Test - Presidency

14.3 Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1 The Imperial Presidency

14.3.2 The President in Foreign Policy

14.3.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

14.3.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency

15 US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1 Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1 Nature & Role of the Supreme Court

15.1.2 End of Topic Test - Nature & Role

15.2 Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1 Appointment Process

15.2.2 Supreme Court Membership

15.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appointments

15.3 The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1 Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.2 End of Topic Test - Public Policy

15.4 Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1 Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.2 Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics

15.4.3 End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties

15.5 Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1 Political Nature of the Supreme Court

15.5.2 Judicial Interpretation

15.5.3 Supreme Court Checks & Balances

15.5.4 End of Topic Test - Debates

15.5.5 Application Questions - The Supreme Court

16 US Democracy & Participation

16.1 Presidential Elections

16.1.1 Presidential Elections

16.1.2 Primaries

16.1.3 National Party Conventions

16.1.4 End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections

16.2 Electoral College

16.2.1 Electoral College System

16.2.2 Reforms

16.2.3 End of Topic Test - Electoral College

16.3 Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1 Issues in Elections

16.3.2 End of Topic Test - Campaigns

16.4 Incumbency

16.4.1 Elections & Incumbency

16.4.2 End of Topic Test - Incumbency

16.4.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College

16.5 Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1 National & State Level Organisation

16.5.2 Democratic & Republican Policies

16.5.3 Changing Party Significance

16.5.4 End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans

16.6 Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1 Types of Democrats

16.6.2 Types of Republicans

16.6.3 End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict

16.7 Support & Demographics

16.7.1 Coalition of Supporters

16.7.2 End of Topic Test - Party Support

16.8 Interest Groups

16.8.1 Political Significance of Interest Groups

16.8.2 Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy

16.8.3 End of Topic Test - Interest Groups

16.8.4 Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups

17 Comparing Democracies

17.1 Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1 Theoretical Approaches

17.1.2 End of Topic Test - Approaches

17.2 UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1 Constitution: Nature

17.2.2 Constitution: Provisions & Principles

17.2.3 Federal System & Devolution

17.2.4 Legislative: Lower Houses of Government

17.2.5 Legislative: Upper Houses of Government

17.2.6 Legislative: Powers & Functions

17.2.7 Executive

17.2.8 Supreme Court

17.2.9 Supreme Court: Judicial Independence

17.2.10 Civil Rights

17.2.11 Civil Rights: Interest Groups

17.2.12 Party Systems & Parties

17.2.13 Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups

17.2.14 End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US

17.2.15 Application Questions - UK & USA

18 Feminism

18.1 Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1 Context of Feminism

18.1.2 Sex & Gender

18.1.3 Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political

18.1.4 Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality

18.1.5 Key Themes

18.1.6 End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

18.2 Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1 The Waves of Feminism

18.2.2 Socialist & Radical Feminism

18.2.3 Post-Modern Feminism

18.2.4 End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism

18.3 Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1 Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir

18.3.2 Kate Millett

18.3.3 Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks

18.3.4 End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas

18.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism

19 Nationalism

19.1 Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1 Nations & Self-Determination

19.1.2 Nation-States & Culturalism

19.1.3 Racialism & Internationalism

19.1.4 Civic & Ethnic Nationalism

19.1.5 Liberal & Socialist Internationalism

19.1.6 Key Themes

19.1.7 End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

19.2 Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1 Liberal & Conservative Nationalism

19.2.2 Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism

19.2.3 Progressive & Regressive Nationalism

19.2.4 Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism

19.2.5 End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism

19.3 Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1 Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder

19.3.2 Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras

19.3.3 Marcus Garvey

19.3.4 End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas

19.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

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How the government faced down a backbench rebellion

14th July 2021

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The foreign aid cuts and what it says about the role of MPs

I've written before about how backbenchers are far from the sheep that we considered them to be as recently as the 1990s.

Here in late January: https://www.tutor2u.net/politi...

In December of last year: https://www.tutor2u.net/politi...

And here: https://www.tutor2u.net/politi...

While we’re here it is worth considering again the question as to why MPs are more rebellious.

One explanation for the increasing independence of MPs is that party loyalty among the electorate is no longer as high, i.e. partisan dealignment has occurred so that voters no longer vote blindly according to previous psychologically based attachments. We could add that the rise of the career politician also helps us understand this trend. This runs contrary to a great deal of media criticism, which contends that those who have entered the Commons without real-world experience, or a profession, to fall back on are more likely to do what their respective party whips command of them because this type of MP wants to be promoted. In fact, because MPs of this nature have been steeped in politics long before entering the Commons, the argument is that they can spot flaws in government plans and vote for what they as being the best course of action for their constituents.

What I like about the foreign cut story in the Guardian is how it details the way the potential government defeat on the issue was avoided.

So this is a good example of how the party machinery kicks in.

As the paper reports:

"After spending months trying to dodge an embarrassing defeat in the Commons on cutting international aid, the government sprang a last-minute vote and announced details of a “compromise” with 14 sceptical Tories.

What happened?

With Boris Johnson having a majority of 80 in parliament, the rebels’ ringleader, Andrew Mitchell, the former international development secretary, needed about 40 Conservatives to join him to scupper the government’s plan. After personal lobbying, Johnson and the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, managed to sway a small but significant number of waverers who voted with the government.

Despite attempts to force a vote on the issue in the past, there had been no formal declaration where MPs were forced to show their hand, so the number of rebels remained a mystery until the formal division. In the end, the government won comfortably by 333 votes to 298, with just 25 Tories rebelling. They included the former prime minister Theresa May and ex-cabinet members including Jeremy Hunt, Karen Bradley and David Davis."

You don't really need to know for the purposes of analysing the role of MPs in the A Level course the full details of the compromise. Just remember it as an example.

The article goes on:

"How did the government pull off a win?

Tory whips breathed a big sigh of relief that they had quietly managed to broker a deal ensuring 14 previously hesitant backbenchers would vote for Sunak’s proposal, including the former cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom. Some Conservative insiders said it was unlikely the government would have called the vote if it thought it was going to lose, though it was still a gamble.

However, given that the exact number of prospective Tory rebels had never been known – estimates ranged up to about 50 – the government still had reason to worry."

See the full story here: https://www.theguardian.com/po...

• Parliamentary democracy
• Backbenchers
• House of Commons

Mike McCartney

Mike is an experienced A-Level Politics teacher, author and examiner.

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A Level Politics Essay Plan - effectiveness of Backbench MPs

Subject: Government and politics

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Other

Last updated

8 October 2019

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Evaluate the effectiveness of Backbench MPs. A* essay plan

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How effective are backbencher MPs?

How effective are Backbench MPs?                                                   Úna Richards 25/03/2013

A backbencher is an MP who does not hold governmental office, and is not a frontbencher spokesperson in the opposition. There is no said test of backbench MP efficiency, however we can come up with a measure of their effectiveness by looking at how effective they are within their role. What are they expected to do? Do they fulfil their role? In recent years, a large number of backbencher MPs have become more effective despite their limited air time, nowadays the majority of backbench MPs are often more active and involved in debates and plenary discussions.

A key function of backbencher MPs is that they represent the people of their own constituency whenever they are involved in government policy. It is typical for local MPs to bring up issues relating to their constituency and become active in decisions that are likely to affect their particular constituents. For example, when there emerged a proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow airport in 2009-10, the relevant MPs from constituencies in the Thames Valley, such as John McDonnel MP, actively opposed the plans or sought to change the details of those plans. When in debates and discussions MPs often try to represent the interests of their constituents, also they often represent pressure groups, either because the pressure group has funded them or the MP supports the group’s interest. Although many MPs successfully represent their constituents’ interests , it is arguable whether they actually represent the constituents, themselves. Indeed, roughly, only a fifth of Parliament are women, and only 4% are from minority ethnic groups, due to Parliament’s lack of diversity, it is questionable whether MPs are actually able to represent the population. Additionally, most MPs come from similar backgrounds: white, upper middleclass and have gone to Russell group universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. In this sense, Backbench MPs are ineffective in that they are unable to fully represent the people they are supposed to be representing. However, it should be stressed that in the last decade more and more female MPs and MPs from minority ethnic groups have become backbencher MPs, growing as a representative body and therefore becoming more effective.

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Some backbencher MPs are largely ineffective in that they are sometimes unwilling to contribute their ideas, plans for policies and bills due to fear of how they will be received by the higher status politicians in Parliament. There is a common view that going against the PM/head of opposition and select committee ministers may have a negative effect on a backbencher’s political career, as they are less likely to get promoted. Therefore, they often lack influence or say in the government’s planned policies or bills. Although, occasionally it’s the courage of a backbench MP to criticise the government that works in their career’s favour, as they are seen as passionate about political issues. For example, Margaret Thatcher, when she was a backbencher in the early 60s, openly disagreed with the majority of the Conservative party on the topic of birching but within 3 years she had moved to the front bench of the Conservative party. Indeed, it is important to highlight that not all backbenchers are afraid of putting out their ideas for new legislation. For backbenchers, proposing legislation is a difficult process; it has to be financed by a pressure group or has to be strongly supported by the government. Perhaps, it’s for this reason that Backbencher effectiveness has come into question, a lot of the time it’s simply too difficult to make any kind of substantial difference because of backbencher status within Parliament. On the other hand, some may argue that in recent years particularly, backbenchers have been a lot more active, as their role has evolved over time and has gained more credibility in the political world due to the recent backbencher achievements. For example, Tom Watson, in his first year of being an MP for Labour in 2001, launched a campaign to ban album sales of convicted sex offender Gary Glitter, proving that backbenchers are effective.

A key function of Backbencher MPs is that they scrutinise the proposed work of the PM, the ministers in charge of the departmental committees and fellow Backbenchers. They aim to scrutinise both proposed primary and secondary legislation. A process that involves close inspection of specific legislation and, where it is seen necessary, amendments may be proposed. As backbenchers in legislative committees are whipped, they rarely defy government or express their own national interest. If a backbencher is defiant, he/she is at risk of being de-selected by the select committee he/she is part of. Another factor that makes a lot of backbenchers ineffective in terms of scrutiny is that many avoid challenging the more high-status members of Parliament due to their fear that if they were to do so it may harm the growth of their political career, and chances of promotion. Although it is important to stress this is only the case with some backbenchers, many are quick to scrutinise the actions and proposed legislation of the leading politicians in Parliament. In the 30 minute sessions they have for scrutiny, backbenchers closely investigate whether funds are being used effectively, and whether the government are acting in public interest. Many backbenchers express criticism towards the work of those that they scrutinise and are quick to offer improvements. Evidently, there is a mixture in the extent of effectiveness among backbenchers, but the majority are largely effective when it comes to their expected function, scrutiny.

Overall, backbenchers are effective in that they are largely able to fulfil their roles and the functions that come with the role. There are various backbenchers that have less prominence than others in Parliament but that’s not to say they are unable to represent, scrutinise or propose new legislation. Indeed, on a general scale, the majority of backbenchers are effective.

Document Details

• Author Type Student
• Word Count 1025
• Page Count 2
• Level AS and A Level
• Subject Politics
• Type of work Exam preparation

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The Politics Shed- A Free Text Book for all students of Politics.

Government & Politics  A and AS Level

Contents   - All courses

Edexcel A Level & AS Level

AQA A Level 

Essays, Exams and Advice.  

Video & podcast lessons  , headlines, examples and links., click to open.

December 2023. Rwanda government threatens to pull out of the deal if it does not adhere to international law. Link: International agreements, human rights law, role of media.  

 December 2023 Robert Jenrick  resigns after the publication of the emergency legislation that will disapply sections of the Human Rights Act  responsibility, ministerial responsibility, power of PM vs Cabinet, 

 December 2023 The government will disapply sections of the Human Rights Act from its emergency Rwanda legalisation . Link: Human Rights in the UK, Sovereignty of Parliament       The location of sovereignty in the UK  

December 2023 . Rishi Sunak suffers his FIRST Commons defeat as PM over the infected blood scandal 246 to 242 in favour of a new body to help compensate - government majority wiped out  Win for Labour, forcing him into a £20 billion spending commitment this year Link Role of backbenchers , power of PM

December 5th 2023 Senate confirms more than 400 military promotions after @SenTuberville (R-AL) dropped his months long blockade of the nominations, which he held up in protest of the Pentagon's abortion policies. Link: Party factions , abortion, Congress partisanship The powers of the  Senate  

Case Study: Rwanda Bill and Conservative Party Factions December 2023

 13 December 2023 The Republican-led US House of Representatives has formally backed an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Lawmakers voted 221 to 212 - entirely along party lines - on Wednesday to authorise a resolution that accuses the president of bribery, corruption and influence-peddling off his "brand".

link: Congress partisanship , The Impeachment of Trump , Is Congress the broken Branch?  

Supreme Court to rule if Trump can run for president Jan 5th 2024

The Supreme Court and Public Policy

  2023 Is Barbie a feminist movie?   link Feminism  

On 14 December 2023 the House of Commons Committee on Standards published a report on Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South.   Recall of MPs Act 2015 Parliamentary Standards  

January 2024 Case study Mr Bates v The Post Office   Link Voting behaviour and the Media P arliamentary Sovereignty  

January 2024: Voting intentions tracker 2024

Rwanda Bill: Lords effectiveness ,Constitutional Reform Elective Dictatorship.

Feb 2024 Wellingborough  by-election was won by Gen Kitchen of the Labour Party. It was the biggest swing from the Conservatives to Labour since the 1994 Dudley West by-election and the second biggest since the Second World War. Recall of MPs Act 2015     Scott Benton: Lobbying scandal MP loses suspension appeal  

Reform UK celebrates best-ever by-election result as Wellingborough candidate says the Tories 'need to go'     Minor Parties

The popular conservatives (lol):   launched by liz truss and jacob rees mogg in february 2024.  the message was social conservatism (anti-woke) and libertarian economics- with the view that the conservative party was no longer conservative. conservative party factions  .

 April 2024 Trump claims presidential immunity. Presidential power & supreme Court neutrality. Case study Trump & the Supreme Court Unitary Executive Theory  

MPs reject Lords amendments to Rwanda bill April 2024 :

Link: the evolving house of lords house of lords reform  .

Elections Act 2022 Local government elections will use the new ID laws in May- link to the democratic deficit -powers of Parliament to change voting rights

Impeachment of AlejandroMayorkas links: Republican partisanship  , 'Congress has become the least powerful branch of government' Discuss Is Congress the broken Branch?  

Useful A-level textbooks

● Lynch, P., Fairclough, P. and Cooper, T. (2017) UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level, 5th edn, Hodder Education.

● McNaughton, N. (2017) Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level, 5th edn, Hodder Education.

● Heywood, A. (2017) Essentials of UK Politics, 4th edn, Palgrave.

● Goodlad, G. and Mitchell, A. (2017) Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-Level,Pearson Education.

● McNaughton, N. and Kelly, R. (2017) Political Ideas for A-level: Liberalism,

Conservatism, Socialism, Feminism, Anarchism, Hodder Education.

Conservatism, Socialism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Ecologism, Hodder Education.

● Bennett, A. (2017) US Government and Politics for A-level, 5th edn, Hodder Education.

● Murphy, R., Jefferies, J. and Gadsby, J. (2017) Global Politics for A-level, Hodder Education.

Essay Competitions

R.A. Butler Politics Prize — an essay competition by Trinity College, Cambridge with a choice of ten questions:

www.trin.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/essay-prizes/

History of Parliament Competition — an essay competition in which you can write on any topic of your choosing relating to parliamentary or political history:

www.historyofparliamentonline.org/schools

➜ Robson History Prize — an history-based essay competition from Trinity College, Cambridge. There is choice of around 90 questions, many of which are politically themed:

➜ John Locke Institute Essay Competition — an essay competition with titles on politics, history, philosophy, law and economics to choose from:

www.johnlockeinstitute.com

➜ The Orwell Youth Prize — a writing competition that encourages entries in differing styles of writing (not just essays) on political themes:

www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-youth-prize/

AP US Government and Politics   (in progress)