There's a scale to these things. A free vote allows an MP to vote against their party with no consequence. at the other extreme we have: A three line whip, w

There's a scale to these things. A free vote allows an MP to vote against their party with no consequence. at the other extreme we have: A three line whip, which is literally underlined three times, are votes and proceedings the government considers important. Traditionally manifesto promises and last votes on major bills. Voting against a three line whip can result in removal of the whip, ie expulsion, but traditionally even this has been rare. Parties have usually had a few MPs well known for voting against them on some issues, and managed to keep them on as MP. Throwing out 21 when you lose your very first vote is unprecedented. Mind you, losing your very first vote as PM is unprecedented. :) https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/whips/ https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/whip...