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• n  a member of the House of Commons who is not a party leader

• Challenged by a Tory backbencher to bring the unions under control, Callaghan could only ask plaintively, "What action can I take?" The Conservatives, led by shadow Prime .
• EWT GINGRICH ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON WITHOUT A HINT OF backbencher's humility.
• In Parliament, a backbencher called for martial law and general mobilization, and blustered that Africa was about to see "its first race of really angry white men.

News & Articles

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• The rise of Ron Wyden
  The one-time backbencher is now poised to take over the Senate's most powerful committee.
  Feb. 11, 2014 - Politico

Quotes

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• Malcolm Turnbull in The Canberra Times
  Peter Costello is a backbencher, one with a distinguished record in economic management and his contributions are always welcome,Mr Turnbull said. "But the real issue today is Mr Rudd. Mr Rudd has a failed economic policy."
• Peter Costello in Sydney Morning Herald
  Mr Costello said that he was considering some options outside politics: "I've got a few things that I'm working on but my position as a backbencher is quite separate from any return to the leadership. I'll continue to serve my constituents and if I...
• Nick Clegg in guardian.co.uk
  But Clegg added: "But we need to keep him in the cabinet. As a backbencher, he'd be a pain in the arse, a voice for the left."