Allegations this week that party whips have attempted to blackmail MPs to protect Boris Johnson have had some clutching at their pearls in mock horror – and others genuinely distressed by what they regard as a blend of bribery and bullying that could require police investigation.
The role of a party whip down the decades has been to secure the government’s business and the protect the prime minister. They are portrayed as democracy’s unsung heroes, as necessary as sewers for civilisation.
In the job description there is no exact rulebook as to what is off-limits. As in most walks of life, persuasion can take many forms, from low-grade patronage to flattery; a filthy look; intimidation, mainly verbal; or more agreeably permission to go on a two-week fact-finding tour with the all-party UK-Bali parliamentary association. It is pretty routine for MPs ahead of a vote to be reminded of the pending link-road scheme in their constituency.
But one former chief whip looking at the current controversy claims the dividing line on legitimate persuasion is nevertheless clear. “Yes to…
