The Parliamentary website gives a succinct definition: ‘whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party's contribution to parliamentary business’. They ensure that most party members vote, and vote according to party wishes.

It’s thought ‘whip’ stems from 18th century hunting, where a ‘whipper-in’ was an assistant who drove straying hounds to the main pack by use of a whip. It’s an apt analogy for what a Parliamentary whip does.

The Usual Channels

When either House divides (takes a vote), whips are ‘tellers’, or counters. They stand by lobby entrance doors, so MPs or Lords are in doubt as to which side to vote, ‘ayes to the right, noes to the left’. They plan, arrange and implement Parliament’s daily business.

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