Francis Urquhart served as Chief Whip from 1987 to 1992
The Chief Whip of the Conservative Party oversees the whipping system in the party, which is responsible for ensuring that Conservative MPs or members of the House of Lords attend and vote in parliament in the desired way of the party leadership. Chief Whips, of which two are appointed in the party, a member of the House of Commons and a member of the House of Lords, also help to organise their party's contribution to parliamentary business.
The party leadership may allow members to have a free vote based on their own conscience rather than party policy, which means the chief whip is not required to influence the way members vote.
The position was held by Francis Urquhart from 1987 to 1992, serving under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Henry Collingridge. After his appointment as Prime Minister, Urquhart appointed his Junior Whip Tim Stamper as Chief Whip.