They're portrayed as shadowy power-brokers in fiction like House of Cards. But who are the Whips, really?

Subscribe here:    / @newstatesman  

A listener asks: What is the parliamentary whip system and how (the hell) can it be democratic?

Freddie Hayward is a journalist who spends his days inside the UK parliament. He explains how the Westminster whipping system works and whether the Chief Whip really does exert extraordinary power over voting MPs.

Ben Walker is senior data journalist for the New Statesman and, coincidentally, a borough councillor who has been on the receiving end of the whip system within local government. He explains what it's like to be "whipped" and how voters perceive the power balance when they cast their ballot.

Freddie and Ben join Rachel Cunliffe on the New Statesman podcast.

Read more: Rishi Sunak is not very good at politics https://www.newstatesman.com/politics...

--

The New Statesman podcast is now on YouTube. Anoosh Chakelian and New Statesman colleagues including political editor Andrew Marr discuss the latest in UK politics news, helping you understand the forces shaping British politics today.

Watch all the latest episodes of the New Statesman podcast here:    • The New Statesman Podcast  

--
The New Statesman brings you unrivalled analysis of of the latest UK and international politics. On our YouTube channel you’ll find insight on the top news and global current affairs stories, as well as insightful interviews with politicians, advisers and leading political thinkers, to help you understand the political and economic forces shaping the world.

With regular contributions from our writers including Political Editor Andrew Marr and Anoosh Chakelian - host of the New Statesman podcast - we’ll help you understand the world of politics and global affairs from Westminster to Washington and beyond.

Subscribe on YouTube:    / @newstatesman  

Sign up to Morning Call, the daily UK politics newsletter from the New Statesman: https://morningcall.substack.com

Subscribe to the New Statesman from just £1 per week: https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasto...