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.
These summaries are created by the team at TheyWorkForYou. We are independent of Parliament and receive no public funding for this work.
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Michael Meacher’s voting in Parliament
Michael Meacher was previously a Labour MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Labour MPs.
However, Michael Meacher sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:
Michael Meacher has never rebelled against their party in their last parliament. Find out more.
How Michael Meacher voted on Social Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2006–2015.
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Voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 1997–2015.
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Generally voted for the hunting ban Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2004. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2009–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for equal gay rights Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2002–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 1 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2012. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 1999–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 8 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
5 votes for, 3 votes against, 23 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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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, 8 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes
8 votes for, 5 votes against, 6 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Has never voted on a more proportional system for electing MPs Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
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Voted for a lower voting age Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005–2015.
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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.
Last updated: 16 January 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013.
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Consistently 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, 4 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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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
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
0 votes for, 15 votes against, 11 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always 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 Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Education #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted against academy schools Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against university tuition fees Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004–2010. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes
0 votes for, 14 votes against, 1 absence, between 1998–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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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 Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 21 February 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Home Affairs #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 8 absences, between 2002–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Has never voted on stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, in 2015.
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Voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014.
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Generally voted for allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for introducing ID cards Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2004–2006. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2009–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 17 January 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Taxation and Employment #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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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 Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Almost always voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently 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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Almost always voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2008–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes
0 votes for, 17 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 12 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Business and the Economy #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
5 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour 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, 3 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
1 vote for, 16 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 8 December 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher 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, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
5 votes for, 38 votes against, 16 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes
3 votes for, 2 votes against, 5 absences, between 2004–2013. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes
2 votes for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2001–2005. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes
1 vote for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 26 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2007. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Has never voted in a major vote about investigations into the Iraq war Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003.
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Voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes
10 votes for, 1 vote against, 15 absences, between 2007–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2003–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Health #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 1997–2015.
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Voted against reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2013.
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Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2006–2015.
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Generally voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes
4 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2007–2008. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for introducing foundation hospitals Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 7 March 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Meacher voted on Environmental Issues #
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 Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Has never voted on improving environmental water quality Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012.
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Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014.
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Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes
9 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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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, 2 absences, in 2015.
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Almost always voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 20 February 2024.
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.
Note for journalists and researchers: The data on this page may be used freely, on condition that TheyWorkForYou.com is cited as the source.
This data was produced by TheyWorkForYou from a variety of sources.
For an explanation of the vote descriptions please see our page about voting information on TheyWorkForYou.
Profile photo: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0