What does the term political whip mean?

Answer 1

In the congress the majority as well as the minority party have what is known as a whip. The whip is responsible for assembling like minded voters and supporters of specific legislation the party has in progress. The whip also helps to convince undecided persons to vote for the bill that their party is in support of. By gathering these votes the majority and minority party can predict the success or failure of legislation when it hits the floor for a vote by the house or senate.

Answer 2

A political party has a team of whips, (in the UK around 14 in the major parties) The 'chief whip' is the leader of the 'team' of whips whose job it is to keep order within the party and to ensure the members of the party (MP's) vote in line with the party's ideas. The 'chief whip' will issue a note at the start of the week telling the members of his party what votes were coming up that week. Depending on how many times the vote is underlined (1,2 or 3) tells the MP's how they should vote and whether they will be punished should they vote against their party.

Answer 3

There is no White House Whip. However, each house of the U.S. Congress has both a majority and minority whip. The job of the whip is to ensure that the representatives of their party attend important votes and vote along party lines.

Answer 4

a legislator appointed by the party to enforce discipline

Answer 5

A whip in a political party is a person who holds representatives of their party accountable for their actions. They will make sure representatives act in line with the parties philosophy.