The Role of the Whips and Party Splits

Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament

Westminster is a place built on relationships, both within the Parties and across the House. But what happens when these relationships become strained?

In this episode we look behind the curtain at the role of the Whips- the figures in charge of Party discipline. Using reflections from those who were appointed to the Whips’ office during their time in Parliament, as well as those who were the subject of their disciplinary methods, Emma and Alex present a personal view of this sometimes shadowy role and discuss some of the major disputes the Whips dealt with during our period.

Presented by Dr Emma Peplow and Dr Alex Lock, produced by Melissa FitzGerald at Zinc Audio. With additional writing from Dr Priscila Pivatto and script editing from Connie Jeffery. All interviews are deposited at the British Library. Find a catalogue of interviews on our website.

Artwork by [e-mail].

Find more from the History of Parliament Trust at www.historyofparliament.com and follow this link to find information about our publication ‘The Political Lives of Postwar British MPs’.

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More information:

British Library Reference Codes:

Maria Fyfe interviewed by Dean White, C1503/0032

Timothy Kirkhope interviewed by Henry Irving, C1503/0084

Hilary Armstrong interviewed by Emma Peplow, C1503/0103

Martin Bell interviewed by Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite, C1503/0103

Jim Sillars interviewed by Malcolm Petrie, C1503/0110

John Bowis interviewed by Emma Peplow, C1503/0154

Roger Knapman interviewed by Kevin Jeffreys, C1503/0067

Chris Smith interviewed by Paul Seaward, C1503/0158

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