whip

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In UK politics, the member of Parliament who ensures the presence of colleagues in the party when there is to be a vote in Parliament at the end of a debate. The written appeal sent by the whips to MPs is also called a whip; this letter is underlined once, twice, or three times to indicate its importance. A three-line whip is the most urgent, and every MP is expected to attend and vote with their party. An MP who fails to attend may be temporarily suspended from the party, a penalty known as ‘having the whip withdrawn’.

The government whips are salaried officials; some opposition whips also receive a salary. Conservative whips are chosen by the leader of the party; Labour whips are chosen by the prime minister when the party is in office, otherwise by election. The chief whip from June 2007 is Geoff Hoon.

The emblem recalls the flag of Turkey, a long-standing ally. The points of the star represent the eight Turkic tribes of Azerbaijan. Effective date: 5 February 1991. >>