Parliamentary Three Line Whip

[straz]

I know this is an order for MP's to vote a particular way but how did the term come about?

[Quizmonster]

Every week, the party whips - ie people - send out a document - also known as a whip - to their members, describing the forthcoming debates and underlining them in three categories of importance. So, a three-line whip means that, apart from illness or equally vital commitment, a member must be present to participate in the vote.

[Quizmonster]

I may not have made it clear in my earlier answer, but the categories of importance are indicated by one underlining, two underlinings or three underlinings. If it's underlined three times, it's a three-line whip.

[geofbob]

The term "whips" for the MPs who enforce discipline in each Party at Westminster is derived from the "whippers-in" in hunting, who make sure the hounds stay on the fox's trail. It will be interesting to see whether a fresh term is utilised when and if fox-hunting is banned by Parliament.

[JohnPPotts]

Basically, it's a reflection of how important the vote is to the party. A one line whip is one you'd be expected to vote on, but could probably get away with not being there: a two line whip means you must be there unless you and your "pair" (member of the opposing party) both agree not to be there: a three line whip means be there, unless you're actually dead (they really did drag people out of hospital to vote at the end of the 1974-79 Labour government). And I'm sure they'll still be using the term after fox hunting is banned - after all, we "CC" things, even though Carbon Copying is pretty rare these days.