Party whips are important in the organization and structure of the House of Commons. Named after the "whippers" in the traditional English fox hunt who kept the hounds from straying, they are chosen in party caucus as special officers of their political parties. A whip seeks to assure that all party members are present for important votes. The authority of the whip is accepted because MPs recognize that only by voting as a bloc can their party continue to be effective in the House of Commons, as either government or opposition. To defy the whip, by abstaining or even voting for the other side, is to seriously challenge party discipline. Such actions may result in MPs losing the support and respect of their party colleagues.
