Voting summaries
MPs have many roles, but one of the most important is that they make decisions. These decisions shape the laws that govern us, and can affect every aspect of how we live our lives.
One of the ways MPs make decisions is by voting.
On TheyWorkForYou, we create voting summaries that group a set of decisions together, show how an MP has generally voted on a set of related votes, and if they differ from their party.
You can see these groups, randomly ordered, below.
You can read more about how this works, the kinds of votes we include, how we compare MPs to parties, and why we think this is important.
If you want to support and help us improve this work, please consider donating.
How David Simpson voted on Business and the Economy #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
2 votes for, 12 votes against, 12 absences, between 2014–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
4 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2018. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2014–2019. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
2 votes for, 2 votes against, 8 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
Last updated: 8 December 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Home Affairs #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against introducing ID cards Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2005–2006. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2008–2009. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Has never voted in a major vote about the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2011.
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Voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
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Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2009–2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Has never voted on merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2016.
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Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2005–2016.
Last updated: 17 January 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2016.
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Consistently voted against a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2017–2019.
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Almost always voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes
2 votes for, 13 votes against, 1 absence, between 2018–2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes
1 vote for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against more EU integration Show votes
5 votes for, 48 votes against, 16 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Social Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Almost always voted against equal gay rights Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2006–2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Voted a mixture of for and against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
2 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted against allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2013–2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Health #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2006–2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2019. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2011. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Has never voted on reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013.
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Consistently voted against fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes
0 votes for, 9 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 7 March 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Taxation and Employment #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Has never voted in a major vote about automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
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Generally voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes
4 votes for, 9 votes against, 16 absences, between 2015–2018. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Has never voted in a major vote about an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013.
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Voted a mixture of for and against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
5 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2017. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes
3 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, in 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes
0 votes for, 7 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2017. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2015–2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 29 November 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes
1 vote for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
3 votes for, 14 votes against, 13 absences, between 2012–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
2 votes for, 7 votes against, 31 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2011–2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes
4 votes for, 7 votes against, 13 absences, between 2011–2016. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes
2 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2017–2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2007–2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2007–2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
6 votes for, 9 votes against, 9 absences, between 2012–2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Has never voted in a major vote about a transparent Parliament Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2007.
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Generally voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Consistently voted against a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015.
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Consistently voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Almost always voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes
0 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted against a lower voting age Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 17 October 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Education #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted against university tuition fees Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2010. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 10 absences, between 2006–2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Voted against academy schools Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 21 February 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2010. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2006–2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Voted a mixture of for and against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, between 2014–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes
2 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
4 votes for, 28 votes against, 27 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, in 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2005. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 26 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Transport #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for adding a third runway at Heathrow Airport Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 21 September 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How David Simpson voted on Environmental Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted a mixture of for and against measures to prevent climate change Show votes
3 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 agreement for, 11 absences, between 2008–2016. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted against the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2017–2019. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
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Voted against improving environmental water quality Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2014–2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
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Has never voted on greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2015.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013.
Last updated: 4 December 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
As a result of COVID-19, some MPs were less able to vote in Parliament in certain periods, and this will be reflected by absences in their voting record.
- 11th May to 2nd June 2020
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All MPs could vote remotely through an online voting tool. Votes cast remotely are shown as normal on the TheyWorkForYou voting record.
- 2nd to 9th June 2020
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The option of online voting was removed, and a number of MPs may have been unable to vote because they were not physically able to attend.
- 10th June 2020 onwards
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The requirements on proxy voting were relaxed, allowing MPs to designate another MP to cast a vote on their behalf.
If an MP votes by proxy, it is effectively exactly the same as if they cast the vote in person and it shows up on their TheyWorkForYou voting record.
MPs are not required to designate a proxy, and may instead pair with an opposing MP to miss a vote. Parliament does not record when two MPs have come to a pairing arrangement, so on TheyWorkForYou, they will both appear to have been absent for the vote.
See more detail on votes during the COVID-19 period here.