What Are Party Whips?

Each of the main parties in the Commons appoints a chief whip and assistant whips. Their role (in the majority party) is to ensure that the government maintains its majority in votes in the House. In the opposition parties, their role is to make sure that MPs are united with their frontbench and shadow cabinet over matters of policy. Whips are generally politicians who can communicate between the frontbench and backbench MPs diplomatically, but who can be tough on party dissenters if needs be.

MPs receive a weekly set of printed instructions form their party whips indicating whether or not they should attend the House to vote. They also inform MPs which way they should vote on a particular bill or amendment. A three line whip means that attendance is essential, a two line whip means that MPs must attend unless other arrangements have been arranged under the pairing system. A one-line whip merely requests the attendance of MPs.

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