A MP says he is delighted to have been made a Government whip.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, was a Tory whip when the party was in opposition and will carry on his work in the new coalition Government with the Lib Dems.

A whip’s job is to manage party discipline, such as encouraging members to vote along official party lines, as well as carrying out other parliamentary business.

Mr Duddridge discovered yesterday his formal title will be Lord Commisioner, which means he will be expected to sign cheques on behalf of the Government, receive a haunch of venison from the queen each year and have a staff of office.

He said he would be involved with two departments – the Foreign Office and the Department for Education.

He said: “I will be at the heart of government, influencing things from the perspective I’ve seen in Rochford and Southend East.

“A lot of work I do is confidential, but it’s brilliant access.

“I will be a stronger voice for the area but, perhaps, less visible.”