Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 06 November 2008

WORKINGTON MP Tony Cunningham has completed the first month in his new job, pushing through Government legislation.

Mr Cunningham was appointed as a pairing whip, taking on the title of Lord’s Commissioner in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s reshuffle last month.

The job involves deciding whether colleagues can be absent from votes, demanding they return, from anywhere in the world if needed, and making a majority is secured.

An average day begins with the politician checking the previous night’s votes and noting which of his 349 Labour MPs failed to turn up without good reason.

Letters are then sent out asking where colleagues were.

Mr Cunningham said: “I know where every one of the Labour MPs are and if anyone cannot be here, they must inform me because I need sufficient knowledge to decide whether or not they can go. Obviously there are exceptions when people have family illness.

“Years ago, when my son Daniel had to be delivered early because my wife had a serious infection, the pairing whip told me to go straight away. But more routine requests all have to be considered and it is about making judgements all the time,” said Mr Cunningham.

“I base my decision on the basis that all MPs from other parties will be present and voting against the Government, and I need to make sure there are at least 20 or 30 more Labour MPs.

“We are forever fielding calls from MPs asking to be excused, but it is about juggling and making sure we get the Government’s legislative programme through.”

The importance of whips to political parties cannot be underestimated.

A mistake by a previous group of Labour whips resulted in them losing a crucial vote on hate laws by one vote because the then Prime Minister Tony Blair was allowed to stay at Downing Street for a meeting.

Mr Cunningham’s job, often seen as one of the most important in government, means juggling work with constituency caseloads and demands, including people visiting Westminster for meet-ings.

Mr Cunningham added: “I have twin responsibility of making sure the Government gets its majority and the ultimate responsibility to my constituents, because they are the most important people and that will always be the case.”

He has two full-time staff in Workington and another full-time employee in Westminster.