How far do you agree that backbench MPs are nothing more
than lobby fodder?
‘Lobby fodder’ refers to MPs who do nothing more than strictly
‘toe the party line’, obeying orders from their party and party
whips on most issues rather than acting as an individual
representative. However, it could be argued this is far from the
case in the UK, as there was an increasing number of
backbench revolts with the 2010 coalition, as well as May’s
minority government in 2017. It could also be argued that MPs
are far more than pawns when voting on issues in parliament,
as they have a number of other roles such as scrutinising the
government and representing constituencies. However, these
roles are not always successfully fulfilled and with a large
majority in government presently, there is a possibility MPs
have been reduced to lobby fodder once again.
Under the coalition there was an undeniable upsurge of
backbench rebellion, however in recent years it appears this
has died down. The Conservatives have only suffered two
defeats under Johnson’s majority suggesting that despite the
brief uprising between 2010 and 2017, MPs have reverted to a
more traditional, obedient role. An MPs career often hangs on
their loyalty to their party - to be promoted or re-elected, an
MP usually has to make sacrifices regarding effectively
representing their constituents or their personal beliefs in order
to prioritise the government’s wishes. During the coalition and
May’s minority government, it appeared as though there was
increasing partisan dealignment and an end to the two party
system, which many MPs felt gave them more freedom as they
could be re-elected on their personal performance, rather than
how well they reflected party values. Under Johnson’s
government it appears backbenchers have once again taken
on the role of sheep, following blindly due to the small number
of defeats. However, in December 2020, 55 Conservative MPs
rebelled over new Covid-19 restrictions, and despite the
than lobby fodder?
‘Lobby fodder’ refers to MPs who do nothing more than strictly
‘toe the party line’, obeying orders from their party and party
whips on most issues rather than acting as an individual
representative. However, it could be argued this is far from the
case in the UK, as there was an increasing number of
backbench revolts with the 2010 coalition, as well as May’s
minority government in 2017. It could also be argued that MPs
are far more than pawns when voting on issues in parliament,
as they have a number of other roles such as scrutinising the
government and representing constituencies. However, these
roles are not always successfully fulfilled and with a large
majority in government presently, there is a possibility MPs
have been reduced to lobby fodder once again.
Under the coalition there was an undeniable upsurge of
backbench rebellion, however in recent years it appears this
has died down. The Conservatives have only suffered two
defeats under Johnson’s majority suggesting that despite the
brief uprising between 2010 and 2017, MPs have reverted to a
more traditional, obedient role. An MPs career often hangs on
their loyalty to their party - to be promoted or re-elected, an
MP usually has to make sacrifices regarding effectively
representing their constituents or their personal beliefs in order
to prioritise the government’s wishes. During the coalition and
May’s minority government, it appeared as though there was
increasing partisan dealignment and an end to the two party
system, which many MPs felt gave them more freedom as they
could be re-elected on their personal performance, rather than
how well they reflected party values. Under Johnson’s
government it appears backbenchers have once again taken
on the role of sheep, following blindly due to the small number
of defeats. However, in December 2020, 55 Conservative MPs
rebelled over new Covid-19 restrictions, and despite the
