George Galloway opens up on the difficulties of breaking a three-line whip

The radio host explained to a furious caller the struggles politicians face when defying a three-line whip.

The caller was angry that there hadn’t been any disciplinary action for the 47 Labour MPs who vote against the Article 50 bill last week defying a three-line whip.

However when explaining the process on talkRADIO, Galloway insisted the decision to defy the leaders whip would not have been taken lightly by politicians.

He said: “It’s petrifying for most MPs, never for me. I broke many three-line whips on important issues like war or the introduction of university tuition fees.

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George Galloway has insisted how difficult it is to defy a three-line whip

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“I will recall the current chief-whip Nick Brown standing on the steps haranguing me, against going into the lobby to break a three-line whip and vote against the introduction of tuition fees for students.

“I’m not usually frightened, but for most MPs who are ambitious, it is a very big step indeed to break a three-line whip.

“Unless you have permission to be absent, you must be present and you must vote for the party’s line, the party’s motion, or amendment.

“If you don’t, then a disciplinary process will begin. Either your prospects of promotion will be blighted, or you’ll be punished in some other way.”

The House of Commons is set to vote on the second Article 50 bill on Wednesday to give Theresa May the power to being the Brexit process when she wants.

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47 Labour MPs voted against Jeremy Corbyn's three-line whip last week Government Loses Brexit Vote Appeal Tue, January 24, 2017

Britain's most senior judges ruled that Prime Minister Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process Article 50 for the UK's exit from the European Union without Parliament having a say.

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Issued by the Supreme Court of (top row, from the left) Lord Neuberger, Lord Mance, Lord Kerr, Lord Sumption, (bottom row, from the left) Lady Hale, Lord Clarke, Lord Wilson and Lord Hodge, who agreed with the majority decision that the Government could not trigger Article 50 without Parliamentary approval.

It’s petrifying for most MPs, never for me

George Galloway

In Parliament on Tuesday, it was confirmed that MPs will get a vote on the final Brexit deal before the process is concluded and debated for a final time in the European Parliament.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued another three-line whip for MPs to back the Article 50 bill.

Galloway finished by highlighting the seriousness if Labour politicians rebel again.

He finished: “It’s quite serious, you only do it if you have no ambition or principle is more important to you, or because your conscience dictates it.

“There are occasions where that happen, abortion for example. Nobody ever seems to browbeat you because of that. But in the ordinary run of things you would definitely be expected to vote for a three-line whip and you would be in trouble if you didn’t.”

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