What is the role of backbench mps?

Created in 2010 and has given MPs opp to shape agenda.
Decides topic for debate 1 day a week.
E-petitions that attract more than 100,000 signatures are often debated – 32 between 2011-15 and one on a second EU referendum in 2016.
Gov does not have to respond to motions passed.

Early in each parliamentary session, 20 names of MPs who wish to introduce a bill
are drawn in a ballot. Only a small number of private members’ bills become law.
Two landmark laws to originate as private members’ bills were the Murder (Abolition
of Death Penalty) Act (1965) and the Abortion Act (1967).
They have little chance of success without government backing as exec control legislative timetable and can use ‘guillotine motions’ to limit debate on certain bills, as Cameron did in 2011 on AV System.

Rebellions have become more frequent – rebelled on 35% of votes 2010-15.
114 Conservative MPs, including ministerial aides, backed an amendment regretting the omission of a referendum law in 2013.
If whips expect significant opposition, they might withdraw a bill e.g. Conservatives dropped tax changes in 2015 on risk of rebellion.