What is the role of a party whip?
Each party in each chamber has a whip. The party whip is like a team manager, organising some of the party’s daily business and making sure that party members: • vote in the chamber • all vote the same way • have opportunities to speak on bills and issues of interest • are not absent from the chamber without permission. Party whips may also discipline party members who speak against, or expose their party to embarassment.