Re: i for one, welcome... (actually I don't but that's by the by)
Despite the 'dictatorship', we had the vote of no-confidence in Callaghan in 1979, and the 1990 Conservative leadership challenge so discontent with a PM can lead to their removal.
The party whip is the public display of what would otherwise happen in the shadows anyway. Fixers and go-betweens in the party making sure the MPs are aware what the policy line is and are in the right place at the right time for votes and debates, or appearing on Today and any Questions/Question Time.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
