Local Government

Opposition Day – in the House of Commons at 10:43 pm on 24 January 2001.

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That the draft Local Government Best Value (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) Order, which was laid before this House on 12th December, be approved.
The House divided: Ayes 426, Noes 7.

Division No. 81]
AYES
Abbott, Ms DianeBallard, Jackie
Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley N)Banks, Tony
Ainger, NickBarron, Kevin
Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey)Bayley, Hugh
Ainsworth, Robert (CoV'try NE)Beard, Nigel
Allan, RichardBeckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret
Allen, GrahamBegg, Miss Anne
Arness, DavidBeith, Rt Hon A J
Ancram, Rt Hon MichaelBell, Martin (Tatton)
Anderson, Rt Hon Donald (Swansea E)Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough)
Benn, Hilary (Leeds C)
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale)Bennett, Andrew F
Arbuthnot, Rt Hon JamesBenton, Joe
Ashdown, Rt Hon PaddyBercow, John
Atherton, Ms CandyBeresford, Sir Paul
Atkins, CharlotteBermingham, Gerald
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)Berry, Roger
Bailey, AdrianBetts, Clive
Baldry, TonyBlackman, Liz
Blair,Rt Hon TonyDunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth
Blears, Ms HazelEagle, Maria (L'pool Garston)
Blizzard, BobEdwards, Huw
Bunkett, Rt Hon DavidEfford, Clive
Blunt, CrispinEllman, Mrs Louise
Borrow, DavidEmery, Rt Hon Sir Peter
Boswell, TimEnnis, Jeff
Bottomley, Rt Hon Mrs VirginiaEvans, Nigel
Bradley, Keith (Withington)Fabricant, Michael
Bradshaw, BenFallon, Michael
Brand, Dr PeterFearn, Ronnie
Brazier, JulianFtepatrick, Jim
Breed, ColinFitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E)Flight, Howard
Brown, Russell (Dumfries)Flint, Caroline
Burden, RichardFoster, Rt Hon Derek
Burnett, JohnFoster, Don (Bath)
Burns, SimonFoster, Michael Jabez (Hastings)
Burstow, PaulFoster, Michael J (Worcester)
Buttertill, JohnFox, Dr Liam
Byers, Rt Hon StephenFraser, Christopher
Cable, Dr VincentGale, Roger
Caborn, Rt Hon RichardGalloway, George
Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge)Gapes, Mike
Campbell, Rt Hon MenziesGardiner, Barry
(NE Fife)Garnier, Edward
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V)George, Andrew (St Ives)
Campbell-Savours, DaleGibson, Dr Ian
Caplin, IvorGidley, Sandra
Casale, RogerGillan, Mrs Cheryl
Caton, MartinGilroy, Mrs Linda
Cawsey, IanGodsiff, Roger
Clapham, MichaelGoggins, Paul
Clappison, JamesGolding, Mrs Llin
Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields)Gorman, Mrs Teresa
Clark, Dr Michael (Rayleigh)Gray, James
Clarke, Charles (Norwich S)Green, Damian
Clelland, DavidGreenway, John
Clifton-Brown, GeoffreyGriffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)
Coffey, Ms AnnGriffiths, Win (Bridgend)
Coleman, IainGrocott, Bruce
Collins, TimGrogan, John
Colman, TonyGummer, Rt Hon John
Connarty, MichaelHain, Peter
Cook, Frank (Stockton N)Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)
Cook, Rt Hon Robin (Livingston)Hall, Patrick (Bedford)
Cooper, YvetteHamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie
Corbett, RobinHamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE)
Corbyn, JeremyHammond, Philip
Cousins, JimHanson, David
Cran, JamesHarman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet
Crausby, DavidHarris, Dr Evan
Cummings, JohnHarvey, Nick
Curry, Rt Hon DavidHawkins, Nick
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs ClaireHeald, Oliver
Darting, Rt Hon AlistairHealey, John
Darvill, KeithHeath, David (Somerton & Frome)
Davey, Valerie (Bristol W)Heathcoat-Amory, Rt Hon David
Davidson, IanHenderson, Ivan (Harwich)
Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Lianelli)Hendrick, Mark
Davies, Geraint (Croydon C)Hepburn, Stephen
Davies, Quentin (Grantham)Hesford, Stephen
Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice)Hewitt, Ms Patricia
Dawson, HiltonHill, Keith
Day, StephenHodge, Ms Margaret
Dean, Mrs JanetHoey, Kate
Denham, JohnHoon, Rt Hon Geoffrey
Dismore, AndrewHope, Phil
Dobbin, JimHopkins, Kelvin
Donohoe, Brian HHoward, Rt Hon Michael
Doran, FrankHowarth, Rt Hon Alan (Newport E)
Dowd, JimHowarth, George (Knowsley N)
Drew, DavidHowells, Dr Kim
Drown, Ms JuliaHughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)
Duncan, AlanHughes, Simon (Southwark N)
Duncan Smith, IainHumble, Mrs Joan
Hutton, JohnMallaber, Judy
Iddon, Dr BrianMaples, John
Illsley, EricMarsden, Gordon (Blackpool S)
Ingram, Rt Hon AdamMarshall, David (Shettleston)
Jack, Rt Hon MichaelMarshall-Andrews, Robert
Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead)Mates, Michael
Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough)Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian
Jarnieson, DavidMaxton, John
Jenkins, BrianMay, Mrs Theresa
Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle)Meacher, Rt Hon Michael
Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield)Merron, Gillian
Michael, Rt Hon Alun
Johnson Smith, Rt Hon Sir GeoffreyMichie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley)
Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute)
Jones, Rt Hon Barry (Alyn)Milburn, Rt Hon Alan
Jones, Helen (Warrington N)Miller, Andrew
Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)Mitchell, Austin
Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham)Moffatt, Laura
Joyce, EricMoonie, Dr Lewis
Keeble, Ms SallyMoore, Michael
Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston)Moran, Ms Margaret
Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth)Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N)
Keetch, PaulMorley, Elliot
Kennedy, Rt Hon Charles (Ross Skye & Inverness W)Morris, Rt Hon Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley)
Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree)Mountford, Kali
Key, RobertMowlam, Rt Hon Marjorie
Khabra, Piara SMudie, George
Kidney, DavidMullin, Chris
Kilfoyle, PeterMurphy, Denis (Wansbeck)
King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)Naysmith, Dr Doug
Kirkbride, Miss JulieNorman, Archie
Kumar, Dr AshokNorris, Dan
Ladyman, Dr StephenOaten, Mark
Laing, Mrs EleanorO'Brien, Bill (Normanton)
Lait, Mrs JacquiO'Brien, Stephen (Eddisbury)
Lammy, DavidOlner, Bill
Lansley, AndrewO'Neill, Martin
Lawrence, Mrs JackieÖpik, Lembit
Leigh, EdwardOttaway, Richard
Lepper, DavidPage, Richard
Leslie, ChristopherPaice, James
Letwin, OliverPalmer, Dr Nick
Levitt, TomPearson, Ian
Lewis, Ivan (Bury S)Pickles, Eric
Lewis, Dr Julian (New Forest E)Pickthall, Colin
Lewis, Terry (Worsley)Pike, Peter L
Liddell, Rt Hon Mrs HelenPond, Chris
Lidington, DavidPope, Greg
Lilley, Rt Hon PeterPortillo, Rt Hon Michael
Linton, MartinPrentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)
Lock, DavidPrentice, Gordon (Pendle)
Love, AndrewPrimarolo, Dawn
Luff, PeterPrior, David
Lyell, Rt Hon Sir NicholasProsser, Gwyn
McAvoy, ThomasPurchase, Ken
McCafferty, Ms ChrisQuinn, Lawrie
McCartney, Rt Hon Ian (Makerfield)Rammell, Bill
Randall, John
Macdonald, CalumRaynsford, Nick
McDonnell, JohnRedwood, Rt Hon John
McFall, JohnRobertson, John (Glasgow Anniesland)
McGrady, Eddie
MacGregor, Rt Hon JohnRobertson, Laurence (Tewk'b'ry)
McIsaac, ShonaRobinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW)
MacKay, Rt Hon AndrewRoche, Mrs Barbara
Mackinlay, AndrewRoe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne)
Maclennan, Rt Hon RobertRooker, Rt Hon Jeff
McLoughlin, PatrickRooney, Terry
McNulty, TonyRoss, Ernie (Dundee W)
MacShane, DenisRowe, Andrew (Faversham)
Mactaggart, FionaRowlands, Ted
McWalter, TonyRoy, Frank
McWilliam, JohnRuane, Chris
Madel, Sir DavidRuddock, Joan
Mahon, Mrs AliceRuffley, David
Russell, Bob (Colchester)Temple-Morris, Peter
St Aubyn, NickThomas, Gareth (Clwyd W)
Sanders, AdrianTimms, Stephen
Sarwar, MohammadTodd, Mark
Sawford, PhilTonge, Dr Jenny
Sayeed, JonathanTouhig, Don
Shaw, JonathanTredinnick, David
Sheldon, Rt Hon RobertTrend, Michael
Shephard, Rt Hon Mrs GillianTrickett, Jon
Shepherd, RichardTruswell, Paul
Short, Rt Hon ClareTurner, Dennis (Wdverh''ton SE)
Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S)Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk)
Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk)Turner, Neil (Wigan)
Skinner, DennisTwigg, Stephen (Enfield)
Smith, Angela (Basildon)Tyler, Paul
Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S)Tynan, Bill
Smith, Jacqui (Redditch)Tyrie, Andrew
Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)Viggers, Peter
Smith, Sir Robert (WAb'd'ns)Walter, Robert
Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S)Waterson, Nigel
Soarnes, NicholasWatts, David
Sothworth, Ms HelanWebb, Steve
Spellar, JohnWells, Bowen
Spelman, Mrs CarolineWhite, Brian
Spicer, Sir MichaelWhitney, Sir Raymond
Spring, RichardWhittingdale, John
Squire, Ms RachelWICKS, Malcolm
Stanley, Rt Hon Sir JohnWiddecombe, Rt Hon Miss Ann
Willetts, David
Starkey, Dr PhyllisWilliams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W)
Steinberg, Gerry
Stewart, David (Inverness E)Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen)
Stewart, Ian (Eccles)Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy)
Strang, Rt Hon Dr GavinWillis, Phil
Straw, Rt Hon JackWills, Mchael
Streeter, GaryWilson, Brian
Stuart, Ms GiselaWinnick, David
Stunell, AndrewWinterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)
Sutcliffe, GerryWinterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield)
Swayne, DesmondWood, Mike
Syms, RobertWoolas, Phil
Tapsell, Sir PeterWorthington, Tony
Taylor, David (NW Leics)Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Taylor, Ian (Esher & Walton)Wright, Tony (Cannock)
Taylor, John M (Solihull)Wyatt, Derek
Taylor, Matthew (Truro)Yeo, Tim
Taylor, Sir TeddyYoung, Rt Hon Sir George
NOES
Browning, Mrs AngelaHunter, Andrew
Chope, ChristopherMcCrea, Dr William
Ewing, Mrs MargaretWigley, Rt Hon Dafydd
Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas

Question accordingly agreed to.

Opposition

The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".

Division

The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.