To ask.... What does it mean having the whip withdrawn?

[ssd]

Weird term indeed.

It means they get chucked out the party.

Basically expelled from the party but retain their seat

Very touching interview with Sam Gyimah just now, I really respect those rebel MP's, they've shown a lot of integrity and guts.

How can they retain their seats if they aren't tories now ?

Because you vote for your MP, which is a person, not for the party. Your MP will just be affiliated with a party (or not if independent).

They'll sit as independent MPs. They may still vote with the government if they agree with whatever the vote is on, but won't be required (whipped) to vote a certain way.