Backbencher

In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament (MP) or a legislator who holds no governmental office and is not a frontbench spokesperson in the Opposition, being instead simply a member of the "rank and file".

The term dates from 1855. A backbencher may be a new parliamentary member yet to receive high office, a senior figure dropped from government or someone who for whatever reason is not chosen to sit either in the ministry or the opposition Shadow Ministry. By extension, a backbencher is not a reliable supporter of all of their party's goals and policies.

In most parliamentary systems, backbenchers individually do not have much power to influence government policy. However, they may play a role in providing services to their constituents and in relaying the opinions of their constituents. Some backbenchers also sit on parliamentary committees, where legislation is considered in more detail than there is time for on the floor of the House and, thereby, provide valuable input into the legislative process. In addition, since backbenchers generally form the vast majority of the number of MPs, collectively they can sometimes exercise considerable power especially in cases where the policies of the government are unpopular or when a governing party is internally split.

Backbencher (radio drama)

Backbencher is a Canadian radio drama on CBC Radio One. The series was created by Wendy Lill, and is primarily written by Lill, Ed Thomason and Dave Carley. It ran for two seasons (20 episodes) in 2010 and 2011. The series won a Bronze award in the Best Regularly Scheduled Drama Program (Entertainment)Category at the New York Festivals Radio Program and Promotion Awards on June 20, 2011.

Premise

The series featured the trials of Nellie Gordon, a single mother paramedic who was elected against popular expectations in a federal by-election as the Member of Parliament for East Nova for the New Democratic Party of Canada. As a new backbencher MP, she has to learn the Byzantine intricacies of federal Canadian politics, which is complicated with her frank outspoken Maritime perspective. Furthermore, her family life is a further hurdle, with her son and mother reluctant to accept her government responsibilities. However, she finds an unexpected friend in Herb Proctor, a Conservative backbencher from an Alberta riding who is often one of Nellie's most supportive allies in Ottawa despite their differing party allegiances and occasional conflicts.

Backbencher (magazine)

Backbencher is a monthly youth magazine published in India. The magazine is published by Nagpur based publisher Crazy Minds. Every month the magazine carries a biopic cover story of a successful person who did poorly in their studies during school or college. The goal of publishing these stories is to motivate students who do not do well in school.

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