backseat driver

There is perhaps an argument Stokes should have stayed away to allow Pope to stand on his own two feet, even if Pope says Stokes won’t be a “backseat driver”.

Asked if Mr Sunak, a former chancellor during the coronavirus pandemic, had been a "backseat driver" in preparing the Budget, his spokesman said: "No."

There is always a risk for any prime minister that your predecessor ends up as a backseat driver.

So, I’m going to be sitting in the back being the backseat driver.

He says he will put members first, and won't be a "backseat driver" to the Labour leadership.