From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfront benchˌfront ˈbench noun [countable] PGPthe front row of seats on each side of the British parliament, on which the leaders of the political parties sit → back bench
Examples from the Corpus
front bench• They were the first couple in parliamentary history to sit on a front bench together in either House.• He spoke frequently and effectively on the Conservative front bench until the progress of Parkinson's disease made it impossible.• Those who aspire to the education front bench should reach higher levels.• I do not believe in patronage even from the Labour front bench.• The Opposition front bench, and most of the other Opposition benches as well, would be occupied by the Conservatives.• Six boys from the front bench were selected.• When the Asquith government was formed there was of course no post for such a recent recruit to the front bench. 