ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Crossbencher

A crossbencher is a type of politician who is a member of a parliament, but they do not belong to any political party. This means they are not part of the group of people who share similar beliefs and values that other politicians in the parliament have.

Instead, they try to stay neutral and make decisions based on what they think is best for their country or region. They sit in a special area of the parliament called the "crossbenches" which is usually in the middle or to the side of the main seating area. This is so they are physically between the two main political groups and symbolizes their independence from party politics.

Crossbenchers can be really important in some countries where there is a lot of disagreement between the two main political groups. They can also act as a sort of watchdog, making sure that everyone in the parliament follows the rules and that the rights of citizens are being protected.
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