cross-bench

British  

noun

1. (usually plural) a seat in Parliament occupied by a neutral or independent member

---

Other Word Forms

• cross-bencher
  noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cross-bench

The government has also announced five new peers from the Liberal Democrats, three from the Conservatives and two cross-bench members, the former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald and Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

And cross-bench peer Baroness Beeban Kidron told the BBC: "Technology moves fast, and this legislation is supposed to plug an existing gap, so there is no excuse for delay."

From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2026

“The oddity is having bishops in the lords at all,” said Peter Ricketts, a retired British diplomat who is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords, meaning that he does not represent a party.

From New York Times ● May 11, 2023

The new cross-bench politicians want to make their first speeches to parliament before speaking on the climate change bill, which may delay its introduction, a Greens official said.

From Reuters ● Jul. 25, 2022

Often at the feasts the men cast lots to see whether they might sit on the cross-bench with the women.

From Viking Tales by Victor Ralph Lambdin