Tom Brake’s voting in Parliament

Tom Brake is a Liberal Democrat MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Liberal Democrat MPs.

This is a selection of Tom Brake’s votes.

• Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 10 votes for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2018
• Almost always voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 11 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2003–2016
• Consistently voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 11 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2016
• Voted a mixture of for and against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2008–2016
• Generally voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010–2019
• Generally voted for a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2016

Last updated: 4 Sep 2019. Please share these votes responsibly.

We have lots more plain English analysis of Tom Brake’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Tom Brake’s full vote analysis page for more.

Tom Brake has hardly ever rebelled against their party in the current parliament. Find out more.

Recent appearances

• Prime Minister’s Statement: European Union (Withdrawal) Acts 19 Oct 2019

  Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise if you have already made this clear, but is it your intention, perhaps as the first piece of business on Monday, to make a very clear statement on the process we have just heard, particularly if you consider it to be of a vexatious and repetitive nature? If it is appropriate, would you look kindly on an urgent question on this subject?...

• Prime Minister’s Statement: European Union (Withdrawal) Acts 19 Oct 2019

  We have reached the fork in the road. We must now choose. Do we choose the route that leads us to an outward-looking, confident nation, punching above its weight in a European Union battling for liberal values in a world that is increasingly illiberal, isolationist and belligerent? That course guarantees that EU citizens, many of whom have lived here since the 1960s and ’70s, will not have...

• Prime Minister’s Statement 19 Oct 2019

  Would the Prime Minister agree to pass an Act making it unlawful for us to leave at the end of the transition phase without a deal?

More of Tom Brake’s recent appearances

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Profile

Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington

Entered the House of Commons on 1 May 1997 — General election

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Social Media

• @thomasbrake
• https://facebook.com/brake

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

Tom Brake campaigned to remain in the European Union Source: BBC

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Transport
• Transport
• Local Government and the Regions
• International Development
• Home Office
• London Underground
• Departmental Pay
• Yemen: Military Intervention
• Immigration: EU Nationals
• Railways

Currently held offices

• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Duchy of Lancaster) (since 21 Aug 2019)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Exiting the European Union) (since 16 Jun 2017)
• Member, Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion Committee (since 15 Nov 2016)
• Member, House of Commons Commission (since 9 Jul 2015)

Other offices held in the past

• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (International Trade) (16 Jun 2017 to 21 Aug 2019)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs) (29 Jul 2015 to 16 Jun 2017)
• Liberal Democrat Chief Whip (29 Jul 2015 to 16 Jun 2017)
• Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons (29 Jul 2015 to 16 Jun 2017)
• Member, Members Estimate Committee (9 Jul 2015 to 3 May 2017)
• Member, Committee of Selection (5 Nov 2014 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) (4 Nov 2014 to 8 May 2015)
• The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (6 Sep 2012 to 8 May 2015)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) (1 Jul 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Minister (Home Affairs) (1 Jul 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Home Affairs Committee (3 Mar 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Crossrail Bill Committee (14 Nov 2007 to 18 Nov 2007)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Olympics and London) (5 Jul 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Minister (Olympics and London) (5 Jul 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government) (2 Aug 2006 to 20 Dec 2007)
• Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government) (2 Aug 2006 to 20 Dec 2007)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (International Development) (10 May 2005 to 2 Aug 2006)
• Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (10 May 2005 to 2 Aug 2006)
• Member, Transport Committee (22 Jul 2002 to 10 Nov 2003)
• Member, Accomodation & Works Committee (1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2003)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government) (1 Jan 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1 Jan 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) (1 Jan 2000 to 1 Jul 2004)
• Liberal Democrat Whip (1 Jan 2000 to 1 Jul 2004)
• Member, Transport Sub-committee (1 Jan 1999 to 1 Jan 2000)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government) (1 Jan 1999 to 1 Jan 2001)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government) (1 Jan 1999 to 1 Jan 2001)
• Member, Environment Sub-committee (15 Jul 1997 to 1 Jun 2001)
• Member, Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs Committee (14 Jul 1997 to 1 Jun 2001)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (1 Jan 1997 to 1 Jan 1999)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (1 Jan 1997 to 1 Jan 1999)

Previous MPs in this constituency

• Nigel Forman

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill Committee (2 out of 2)
• Deregulation Bill Committee (18 out of 18)
• Defamation Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill Committee (8 out of 10)
• Terrorist Asset-Freezing Etc. Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders bill Committee (17 out of 18)
• Protection of Freedoms Bill Committee (20 out of 20)
• Local Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Crime and Security Bill Committee (10 out of 12)
• Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill Committee (7 out of 8)
• Planning Bill Committee (8 out of 18)
• Counter-Terrorism Bill Committee (11 out of 14)
• Crossrail Bill Committee (1 out of 4)
• Greater London Authority Bill Committee (8 out of 9)
• Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill Committee (12 out of 18)
• Civil Aviation Bill Committee (2 out of 3)
• Merchant Shipping (Pollution) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Housing Corporation (Delegation) etc. Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Railways and Transport Safety Bill Committee (13 out of 18)
• Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill Committee (1 out of 2)
• Homes Bill Committee (5 out of 12)

Numerology

Please note that numbers do not measure quality. Also, representatives may do other things not currently covered by this site. More about this

• Has spoken in 191 debates in the last year — well above average amongst MPs. See all Tom Brake’s speeches
• Has received answers to 514 written questions in the last year — well above average amongst MPs.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a high number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2015, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 71.43% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — well below average amongst MPs. (From Public Whip)
• This MP’s speeches, in Hansard, are readable by an average 18–19 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 94 people are tracking this MP — email me updates on Tom Brake’s activity
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 1097 times in debates — well above average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)