2. Chief Whip & ‘The Whip’
In the Conservative Party, the
leader makes appointment, but
Labour’s whips are elected by MPs.
Circulate weekly memorandums
outlining the pattern of business
Show relative importance of votes
by underscoring the request to
attend with one, two or three lines
A ‘three-line whip’ indicates top
priority, with grave consequences
3. Main ways of keeping
discipline
Pass information about party
morale up to the leadership, and
pass reassuring messages to the
backbenchers
By rewarding loyalty, nominating
favoured MPs for desirable
committee’s, trips abroad, and
junior ministerial office
Punish disloyalty. Whips prefer
rewards to sanctions but can
punish dissenters by withdrawing
patronage and in some cases
‘withdrawing the whip’
4. Main ways of keeping
discipline
A dressing down in the whip’s
office to a ‘withdrawal of the
whip’. Can then lead to de-
selection
Historically Labour were more
likely to use stern measures
(Bevan/Suez 1954)
Major did withdraw whip from
Tory Euro rebels, which far from
making them pariahs enjoyed a
collective notoriety and were
allowed back into the PCP with
no contrition
5. Whips In The Lords
Party discipline is generally
more relaxed ad cross-voting
can be acceptable.
The have few sticks to fright
the souls of old warriors, and
few carrots to dangle in front of
peers who are generally not so
interested in political career
development
6. Party cohesion is essential for strong
government – the majority party can get
through almost all the bills it wants
Dissent gives an impression of disunity
and weakness and can lead to defeat for
the government
Does it undermine democracy as voters
are ‘coerced’ into following party line,
rather than conscience
7. Party cohesion is essential for strong
government – the majority party can get
through almost all the bills it wants
Dissent gives an impression of disunity
and weakness and can lead to defeat for
the government
Does it undermine democracy as voters
are ‘coerced’ into following party line,
rather than conscience
