backbenches

IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃ/
IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃ/

backbenches — noun

  • backbenchesplural

1. the seats at the back of the British House of Commons where Members of Parliamen

1.nounB2
Definition

the seats at the back of the British House of Commons where Members of Parliament who hold no ministerial or senior opposition position sit

Example

After losing his cabinet position, Tunde returned to the backbenches as a regular MP.

return to the backbenches — from ministerial role

The backbenches grew quiet when the prime minister entered the chamber for questions.

backbenches as collective subject of a verb

Common collocations
  • sit on the backbenches
  • remain on the backbenches
  • return to the backbenches
  • be elected to the backbenches
  • speak from the backbenches
  • serve on the backbenches
Antonyms
  • front bench

    the seats where government ministers and shadow cabinet members sit

Grammar Patterns

on the backbenches

return to the backbenches

from the backbenches

spend time on the backbenches

Usage Note

Always used in the plural form. Common in British political news and parliamentary reporting. The singular 'backbench' exists only as an adjective (e.g., 'backbench MP').

Common Mistakes

He spent years on the backbench.
He spent years on the backbenches.
'backbenches' is always plural as a noun, even when referring to a single person's position.
The backbencher raised the issue from his seat.
The MP raised the issue from the backbenches.
'backbenches' refers to the seats or the position, not the person.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Backbenches' (plural noun) refers to the physical seats or the institutional position of MPs without ministerial office. 'Backbencher' (noun, C1) names the person occupying those seats: 'Tunde was a loyal backbencher for twelve years.' 'Front bench' (noun) is the opposite — the seats of government ministers and shadow cabinet members, used metaphorically to mean leadership ranks. 'Backbench' (adjective) modifies nouns such as 'MP', 'committee', or 'rebellion'. A backbencher sits on the backbenches and may serve on a backbench committee. Use 'backbenches' when the focus is on the position or the physical setting; use 'backbencher' when referring to the individual.

backbencher ↗front bench ↗backbench

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • on the backbenches
  • return to the backbenches
  • from the backbenches
  • be elected to the backbenches

Prepositions

Etymology

EnglishEnglish (British Parliament)

Formed by combining 'back' (referring to the rear of the chamber) with 'benches' (the long wooden seats in the House of Commons). First recorded in the mid-19th century, the term arose from the physical layout of the British Parliament: government ministers and shadow cabinet members sit on the front benches closest to the Speaker, while ordinary MPs sit behind them on the back benches. Over time, 'the backbenches' shifted from a purely physical description to a political term denoting the position of an MP without ministerial responsibility.

First known use

1799

1799, in the meaning defined above