Can backbenchers influence their party's decisions?

Yes, backbenchers who are in political parties can influence many decisions in their party. For example, they can help decide who will lead the party and how the party will vote in Parliament. These decisions usually happen in party meetings where members discuss strategies and agree on the team position before debates and votes take place.

If a backbencher is a member of the government or opposition, they may also be a member of a backbench committee. These committees are not official parliamentary committees but informal groups of backbenchers from the same team. Backbench committees often investigate bills or research topics to provide information to their team members, helping shape the position their party takes in Parliament.