Tony's Work as an MP
Tony is one of 646 Members of Parliament; each representing a particular constituency. In Tony's case he represents the Workington constituency.
MPs sit in the House of Commons and all act to defend their constituents' interests here. Legislation is presented to this House in the form of Public or Private Bills and MPs are asked to vote on it.
Tony was given an additional responsibility by the Prime Minister when he asked him to become a Government Whip. This position means Tony is obliged to explain and encourage support for Public Bills amongst Labour MPs so that the Bills can ultimately pass onto the statute book.
Whips also manage the pairing system and often act as tellers during divisions. This means Tony has a key role to play in ensuring the smooth running of parliamentary business.
Once a Bill is passed by MPs it has to receive the support of the Lords before it can become law. The Lords is known as a revising chamber as it is here that the finer points of legislation passed by the Commons are carefully considered.
As well as having this function in the legislative process the Commons provides (by voting for taxation) the means of carrying out Government work and to scrutinise Government policy and administration. Government Ministers are charged with carrying out Government policy and administration.
Before being promoted to the position of Government Whip Tony was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Elliot Morley MP, Minister of State (Environment and Agri-Business) in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The cartoon pictured here appeared in the News and Star when Tony was appointed to this position.
