Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan delivered a lecture to the University’s politics students on Friday on the role of the whip in the parliamentary system.

A group of more than 30 students heard from the MP - who has recently been promoted to the Treasury Team - as she spoke about how MPs are encouraged and expected to observe party discipline and the possibilities and limits of individuals voting against the party line; and gave a colourful account of the challenging aspects of an MP’s job.

A long question-and-answer session covered a wide range of topics including all-women shortlists, voter alienation from the political process, a referendum on membership of the EU, and the possibilities of MPs exercising their individual conscience in parliamentary votes.

Robert Knight, a senior lecturer in the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, who organised the event said:

“This was a tremendous opportunity for our students to hear from a practising MP, with a finger firmly on the Westminster pulse. To gain such a valuable insight into the world of Westminster and the working life of an MP was an outstanding experience for our students.”

This was the first time for many years that an acting MP has lectured to the University’s politics students, and is the first of a series of similar events planned for the year ahead, including politicians from all political parties.

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