Whip

This article does not concern whip (implement) or walks plus hits per inning pitched.

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In politics, a Whip is a member of a political party in a legislature whose task is to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. The term originated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and derives from the "whipper-in" at a fox hunt. Whip is also used to mean the voting instructions issued to members by the Whip.

The Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons is usually appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, in order to get a seat at the Cabinet table.

In the UK Parliament the importance of a vote is indicated by underlining of items on the whip paper. Disregarding a "three-line whip" is a serious matter and may result in "withdrawal of the whip", which is a form of expulsion from the party.

The U.S. House of Representatives has a Majority Whip as well as a Minority Whip.