IPSWICH'S MP has been made a government enforcer as part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's shake-up of his team.

IPSWICH'S MP has been made a government enforcer as part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's shake-up of his team.

In a reshuffle that has seen Peter Mandleson return to the cabinet for the third time, the town's Labour MP Chris Mole has been made a party whip.

Mr Mole said he was first aware of the change of job when he received a phone call from Gordon Brown on Sunday morning.

He had previously been parliamentary private secretary to John Healey, minister for local government.

Mr Mole's new job will see him play a key role in votes - ensuring members turn up when required and persuading them to vote in accordance with the official party line.

He will also have the additional responsibility of assisting Barbara Follett, minister for culture, creative industries and tourism.

Mr Mole said: “I'm really looking forward to doing something I haven't done before.

“I think it will be a real insight into the heart of government, supporting government in the business of the house.”

He added he has no preconceptions about the best ways to convince fellow Labour MPs to toe the party line.

“I'm sure colleagues will want to support the government as much as possible and I will provide all the necessary information to help them make the best decision,” he said.

Duties of whips include keeping MPs and peers informed of forthcoming parliamentary business, maintaining the party's voting strength by ensuring members attend important debates and support their party in parliamentary divisions and passing on to the party leadership the opinions of backbench members.

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