The Primary Tasks of a Backbench MP

As a member of parliament there are three basic ways in which a back bench MP can do his or her job. They can be an MP who stands up for the views of their constituents, fighting for a new bench in the town centre or better roads in the constituency. Another route a backbench MP could take during their time in parliament is to devote themselves to supporting their party through votes in the commons. The honourable members of parliament could use there time on the floor of the commons to stand up for the interests of the nation. In reality an MP will spend the duration of a Parliament doing all of theses things and with each one of the 646 members doing it in their own way.

A member of parliament can represent their constituents by hosting surgeries sometimes known as clinics which are one to one meetings with MP on matters that range from areas of local concern, for example street crime or litter, the constituent may also be concerned about an element of national policy. The aim of theses meetings for the constituents is to recruit the assistance of their MP who can use their influence in the constituency or if necessary raise the issue in a commons debate, an MP would partake in surgeries in an effort to make it appear they do a lot of local work because of this there is often a direct correlation between how safe a seat is and how many surgeries an MP holds. The same role can often be fulfilled by a simple letter.

If a constituency matter can not be solved in the constituency then the MP may choose to take the matter to Westminster by asking question to the relevant government minister during minister’s questions time or by asking the question directly to the Prime Minister on a Wednesday at 12 noon during Prime Ministers questions, but the effectiveness of this is suspect as a question from a back bench MP carries little weight as media attention during theses questions is firmly placed on the party leaders and on government and shadow ministers.

A MP may support their constituency by voting against the party whip on a matter national importance but which has significance in their constituency as Paddy Ashdown did in 1986 when he opposed the American Sikorsky bid for helicopter company Westlands, which was one of the biggest employers in his Yeovil constituency, this route can be seen as more successful than asking questions.