Frontbencher

Frontbencher

In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench (or front bench) and are described as frontbenchers. Those sitting behind them are known as backbenchers.

In the British House of Commons, the Government frontbench is traditionally called the treasury bench ('the treasury' is the oldest government department). The government frontbench is on the right hand side as seen by the Chairman (typically the Speaker of the House of Commons or the Lord Speaker), and is occupied by Government ministers. The opposition frontbench is occupied by "shadow" ministers, of which the most senior form the Shadow Cabinet.

While backbenchers are referenced in the Canadian House of Commons, the front seats on the government side are reserved for cabinet ministers.

External links

[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82153.stm Frontbench] definition from BBC News


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • frontbencher — n. a member of the House of Commons of Great Britain who is a minister or an ex minister. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frontbencher — [frunt′ben′chər] n. a member of the British House of Commons who is a leader in a party and occupies a seat near the speaker * * * …   Universalium

  • frontbencher — [frunt′ben′chər] n. a member of the British House of Commons who is a leader in a party and occupies a seat near the speaker …   English World dictionary

  • frontbencher — [[t]frʌ̱ntbe̱ntʃə(r)[/t]] frontbenchers N COUNT: usu supp N In Britain, a frontbencher is a member of Parliament who is a minister in the Government or who holds an official position in an opposition party …   English dictionary

  • frontbencher — front bench ► NOUN ▪ (in the UK) the foremost seats in the House of Commons, occupied by the members of the cabinet and shadow cabinet. DERIVATIVES frontbencher noun …   English terms dictionary

  • frontbencher — noun one who sits on the front bench in a parliament. Typically the spokesmen for those who sit further back …   Wiktionary

  • frontbencher —    At Westminster and in other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit on the benches at the front of their group and are then… …   Glossary of UK Government and Politics

  • frontbencher — front|bench|er [ˌfrʌntˈbentʃə US ər] n someone who sits on a front bench in the British parliament →↑backbencher …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • frontbencher — noun (C) someone who sits on a front bench in the British parliament compare backbencher …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • frontbencher — front•bench•er [[t]ˈfrʌntˈbɛn tʃər[/t]] n. a member of the British Parliament or a similar legislative body who is a party leader, cabinet minister, etc …   From formal English to slang

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