What does ‘to have the whip suspended’ mean in Politics?

24.07.2024 11:24

«Metro UK»

Seven MPs have had the whip suspended (Picture: Jessica Taylor/AFP via Getty Images)

Seven Labour MPs have had the whip suspended after voting against the government. But what does having the whip suspended mean?

After just three weeks in power, Prime Minister Sire Keir Starmer has suffered his first rebellion, after several of his MPs backed an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

In the end, the amendment was rejected, with 363 MPs voting no and 103 voting aye. But those seven rebel MPs have now had the whip removed.

But what does it actually mean to suspend ‘the whip’? What even is a ‘whip’ in UK politics? Here’s all you need to know.

What does a ‘whip’ mean in politics?

Whips are MPs who help ensure their party votes according to the party agenda.

UK Parliament explains on its official website: ‘Whips are MPs or Members of the House of Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business.

‘One of their responsibilities is making sure the maximum number of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants.’

Keir Starmer has suffered his first rebellion as PM (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

A whip should promote discipline and keep the party in line, ideally so all MPs are voting in the same way in the House of Commons – especially important if a party has a small majority in government.

There is a Chief Whip, too, who oversees this whipping system for each party in Parliament.

Labour’s Chief Whip is the MP for Tynemouth, Sir Alan Campbell, while the Tories have Stuart Andrew, the MP for Daventry.

What does ‘to have the whip suspended’ mean?

Losing the whip, or having the whip suspended or stripped, means that an MP has been dropped from the party.

It could end up being permanent, or it could be temporary. The MP hasn’t lost their constituency – so is still an MP – but is considered independent (without a party), unless the whip is restored.

According to the UK Parliament website, ‘the whip’ can also refer to a weekly circular sent to MPs or Lords, which provides detail on upcoming business in Parliament.

It notes: ‘Special attention is paid to divisions (where members vote on debates), which are ranked in order of importance by the number of times they are underlined.’

I have been informed by the Chief Whip & the Labour Party leadership that the whip has been withdrawn from me for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which would lift 330,000 children out of poverty.

I will always stand up for the most vulnerable in our society.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 23, 2024

I voted tonight to scrap the two-child limit, and I am disappointed to have had the whip suspended over this vote. But it was important for me to stand up for my constituents who are amongst the worst affected by a policy that every organisation fighting child poverty has urgedâ¦
— Imran Hussain (@Imran_HussainMP) July 23, 2024

I voted against the two-child benefit cap which has contributed to rising and deepening levels of child poverty and food insecurity for many East End families.

I have now been informed that I have had the whip withdrawn.
— Apsana Begum MP (@ApsanaBegumMP) July 23, 2024

Who has lost the whip?

Most recently, seven MPs have lost the whip after voting against the government on the two-child benefit cap. They have lost the whip for the next six months, when the decision will be reviewed.

Those MPs are as follows:

John McDonnell – MP for Hayes and Harlington
Rebecca Long-Bailey – MP for Salford
Zarah Sultana – MP for Coventry South
Richard Burgon – MP for Leeds East
Apsana Begum – MP for Poplar and Limehouse
Imran Hussain – MP for Bradford East
Ian Byrne – MP for Liverpool West Derby