Rejected petition: Modernise Parliamentary Terminology by Replacing the Term “Whip”
Rejected on
We want Parliament to review and replace the term “whip” used in parliamentary procedures with more modern terminology. While historically unrelated to slavery, the term can still evoke imagery of coercion and punishment that many feel no longer reflects modern democratic values.
The term “whip” has long-standing parliamentary origins and is not directly linked to slavery. However, language evolves, and some historic terminology can still evoke imagery of coercion, punishment and enforced compliance in modern society. Many institutional terms remain simply because they have never been reconsidered. Parliament should review whether this language still reflects the tone, values and democratic culture expected in a modern United Kingdom.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.
The term whip, which relates to old hunting terminology, is one which resides with political parties and which features heavily in historical records. It's not a term of which Parliament or the Government has ownership.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.