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
Lord Kennedy of Southwark
Government Deputy Chief Whip and Captain of The King's Bodyguard of the
Yeomen of the Guard
Baroness Wheeler
Government Whips (Baronesses and Lords in Waiting)
Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Curran
Lord Katz
Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield
Monday 20 July 2026
23:43:49
Estimated Rising Time:
The House is expected to rise by 10pm
Private Notice Question:
Lord West of Spithead to ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz to merchant traffic; and what advice is being given by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre to UK merchant shipping. (Lord Coaker, MoD)
Questions on an Urgent Question:
‘To ask His Majesty’s Government if they will make a statement on allegations from whistleblowers within the National Energy System Operator regarding summer blackout risk’ - Lord Whitehead (DESNZ)
Questions on an Urgent Question:
‘To ask His Majesty’s Government if they will make a statement on the nationalisation of British Steel’ - Lord Leong (DBT)
