crossbench
Noun: A seat in a parliament, particularly in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament, occupied by members who are not part of the main government or the main opposition parties. These members typically do not vote regularly with either the government or the Official Opposition.
The term is used to refer to the physical seats and, by extension, to the independent or minor party members who occupy them. It highlights a position of political neutrality or independence from the two major opposing blocs.
- The independent member spoke from the crossbench.
- Key votes often depend on support from the crossbench.
- She has spent her entire parliamentary career on the crossbench.
- The crossbench: Used collectively to refer to all the independent and minor party members in a parliament.
- The government's proposal was criticized by both the opposition and the crossbench.
- Crossbench peer: In the UK House of Lords, many members are not affiliated with a political party and are known as crossbench peers.
- The opinion of the crossbench peers was crucial to the debate.
- Crossbencher (noun): A member of parliament who sits on the crossbench.
- The crossbencher proposed an amendment to the bill.
- Independent seats
- Neutral benches
The concept is specific to parliamentary systems, especially the Westminster system. While "crossbench" literally refers to the benches positioned perpendicular to (or "crossing") the government and opposition benches, its primary meaning is political, denoting independence from the major party whips.
- any of the seats in the House of Commons used by members who do not vote regularly with either the government or the Opposition