Chief Whip

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The Chief Whip is a political office in British politics assigned to an MP whose task is to administer the Whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.

The Chief Whip is usually appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury to provide them with a voice in Cabinet.

As show in Yes, Minister, the Chief Whip can wield a large amount of power over those in his or her party, up to and including Cabinet Ministers, be being seen to speak at all times with the voice of the Prime Minister. Margaret Thatcher was famed for using her Chief Whip as a 'cabinet enforcer'.

In the current UK parliament Hilary Armstrong is the Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons, and David Maclean is the Opposition Chief Whip.