Government Whips in the House of Lords
Lords Whips have the same constitutional position as Departmental Ministers. Their role in the House of Lords is different from that of Whips in the Commons, which is predominantly party management.
A Lords Whip has an active role at the despatch box promoting and defending departmental policy which involves:
- answering questions
- responding to debates
- taking through primary and secondary legislation
If the department concerned does not have a Departmental Minister in the House of Lords, all of that Department’s business will fall to a Whip.
House of Lords Government Whips:
Government Chief Whip and Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms
The Rt Hon. the Lord Ashton of Hyde
Government Deputy Chief Whip and Captain of The Queen's Bodyguard of the
Yeomen of the Guard
The Earl of Courtown
Government Whips (Baronesses and Lords in Waiting)
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen
Baroness Penn (minister on leave)
Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Lord Sharpe of Epsom OBE
Viscount Younger of Leckie
