In the House of Commons, how many front benchers are there?

Feel free to give me any additional information you can.

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Utente eliminato

2 giu 2017

Domanda in primo piano

'Frontbencher' is a rather tricky term to pin down, as it depends how you define it. Most commonly, it refers to Cabinet/Shadow Cabinet ministers, and fluctuates between 21 and 23. However, junior Ministers may take their senior's place during some debates for a variety of reasons, and parties also nominate frontbench spokespeople on certain issues, so around 30-35 MPs from each major party could be described as frontbenchers in each Parliament.

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Utente eliminato

2 giu 2017

'Frontbencher' is a rather tricky term to pin down, as it depends how you define it. Most commonly, it refers to Cabinet/Shadow Cabinet ministers, and fluctuates between 21 and 23. However, junior Ministers may take their senior's place during some debates for a variety of reasons, and parties also nominate frontbench spokespeople on certain issues, so around 30-35 MPs from each major party could be described as frontbenchers in each Parliament.

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OldGeezer

2 giu 2017

Paese o regione Regno Unito

@SamuelFawcett92 Thanks for your answer.

1) Let's assume the narrow definition, can you tell me who these 21-23 ministers are? I don't mean by name necessarily, I just mean: can you tell me why the number fluctuates?

2) Are the terms "front bencher" and "government" synonymous? And if not what is the difference? (I'm trying to work out which term I should be using to ask my questions.)

Thanks for your time.

Utente eliminato

2 giu 2017

@OldGeezer 1) They always include the big four Offices of State (PM, Home Sec, Foreign Sec and Chancellor). The rest are for departments such as Defence, Justice, Education, Health etc. It fluctuates because administrations invariably get rid of, merge or introduce new departments when they come to office.

2) I'd say so. The only difference is you could have an opposition frontbencher, who of course is not in government. But if you were to say 'The Conservative frontbench' people would know you were referring to the government.

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OldGeezer

2 giu 2017

Paese o regione Regno Unito

@SamuelFawcett92 I was already aware of the four Great Offices of State.
How do you refer to the department heads? department ministers? department chiefs?
How many departments are there currently? I know Theresa May appointed a - I don't remember the exact term so maybe you can help me out - minister for EU negotiations. Is that a new "department", or is he some sort of advisor to the PM? (And do you remember his name?)
Of course the opposition front benchers are not part of the government. I should have known that, but somehow it escaped me.
Can you tell me - and I know this might be a big ask - how many Conservative front benchers there are and how many Opposition front benchers?

Thanks for your patience.