three-line whip

[ska invita]

can some one explain to me what a three-line whip is? it seems to come out everytime the government of the day are about to act like assholes.

 

[bluestreak]

basically it's govt. speak for telling their MPs that if they don't vote with the party-line they're in a lot of trouble. if an MP ignores a three-line whip and votes against his party he runs the risk of being ignored for promotions, expelled from the party etc.

 

[audiotech]

Three lines under your name on a note from the Whips Office.

Whips have been known to assault and threaten, to pursuade MP's to follow the line.

 

[TAE]

It means the argument that each constituency votes for an individual MP is a flawed argument. In reality you vote for a party.

 

[Fullyplumped]

can some one explain to me what a three-line whip is? it seems to come out everytime the government of the day are about to act like assholes.

Here you go.

Whips have an important role in party business within Parliament, particularly when the voting strengths of the main parties are close, as in the 1992-1997 parliament. For major votes it is imperative for government and opposition to maximise the turnout, and the Whips try to ensure that every member from their party turns out to vote.

The duties of Whips include:

• keeping MPs and peers informed of forthcoming parliamentary business
• maintaining the party's voting strength by ensuring members attend important debates and support their party in parliamentary divisions
• passing on to the party leadership the opinions of backbench members.

The term 'whip' also applies to the weekly circular sent out by each Chief Whip to all their MPs or peers notifying them of parliamentary business. The degree of importance is indicated by the number of times that the debate or division is underlined:

• items underlined once are considered routine and attendance is optional
• those underlined twice are more important and attendance is required unless - in the Commons - a 'pair' (a member of the Opposition who also intends to be absent from the division) has been arranged
• items underlined three times are highly important and pairing is not normally allowed.

'Three-line whips' are imposed on important occasions, such as second readings of significant Bills and motions of no confidence. Failure by MPs to attend a vote with a three-line whip is usually seen as a rebellion against the party and may eventually result in disciplinary action, such as suspension from the parliamentary party.

 

[untethered]

The term "whipping" derives from hunting (ie. whipping in the hounds) and it's the system of political party discipline within parliament (or other assembly).

If an MP "takes the whip" it means he agrees to follow the party's wishes in parliament. This is the default position.

The "three line" bit comes from the underlining on the MPs order paper that lists the votes that will take place in the chamber.

If the party doesn't take a particular position on an issue, it's called a "free vote", so there is no whip.

If a party would prefer you to vote in the way the party wants, it underlines the vote notice once - a "one-line whip".

If a party is very keen for you to turn up and vote, it underlines twice. You'll be in a fair bit of trouble if you don't turn up and vote or arrange a "pair".

If a vote is essential to the party's programme, then you are required to turn up and vote. The vote will be underlined three times. If you miss the vote, abstain or vote against the party you'll be in big, big trouble. You certainly won't get promoted and if you make a habit of this kind of thing, you'll "have the whip withdrawn", ie. you're effectively kicked out of the party within parliament.

Alternatively, you can "resign the whip" but you can forget about being reselected by the party to stand for parliament in the next election.

 

[ska invita]

The "three line" bit comes from the underlining on the MPs order paper that lists the votes that will take place in the chamber.

British parliament stuff is such a joke - three lines under your name! not two, but three lines - fuck it, go the whole hog, have a four line whip, with yellow highlighter!

 

[rasputin]

British parliament stuff is such a joke - three lines under your name! not two, but three lines - fuck it, go the whole hog, have a four line whip, with yellow highlighter!

I think there are also two line and one line whips, as well as the occasional free votes when the little darlings get to make their own minds up which way to vote.

 

[Dhimmi]

fuck it, go the whole hog, have a four line whip, with yellow highlighter!

How ridiculously modern.

 

[gosub]

Sounds positively sadistic.


Is this as well or are you planning on recalibrating the lines?