David Ruffley

Former Conservative MP for Bury St Edmunds

Transport
Health
Foreign Policy and Defence
Taxation and Employment
Constitutional Reform
Miscellaneous Topics
Education
Environmental Issues
Welfare and Benefits
Social Issues
Home Affairs
Business and the Economy

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.

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11th May to 2nd June 2020

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

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

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.

We will update this information if the situation changes. See more detail on votes during the COVID-19 period here.

How David Ruffley voted on Transport #

Almost always voted against slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2012–2013).
Voted against greater public control of bus services Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (1 votes, in 2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Has never voted on a publicly owned railway system Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.
Consistently voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (15 votes, between 2012–2014).

Last updated: 21 September 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Health #

Consistently voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2011–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2011–2012).
Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, in 2003).
Consistently voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2012).
Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2002–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (12 votes, between 1999–2015).
Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 1997.

Last updated: 23 October 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

Generally voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2010–2012).
Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2002–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (13 votes, between 2001–2014).
Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (5 votes, between 2000–2015).
Generally voted against more EU integration Show votes 9 votes for, 38 votes against, 21 absences, between 2008–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (93 votes, between 2006–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 5 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2008–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (22 votes, between 2008–2014).
Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2003. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2002–2003).
Consistently voted for investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 11 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2003–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (19 votes, between 2003–2009).
Has never voted on military action against ISIL (Daesh) Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Taxation and Employment #

Consistently voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 17 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (18 votes, between 2011–2015).
Has never voted on automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010.
We don’t have enough information to calculate David Ruffley’s position on more restrictive regulation of trade union activity. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2010.
Voted a mixture of for and against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2004–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2003–2011).
Consistently voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (15 votes, between 2012–2014).
Generally voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, 8 absences, between 2008–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (29 votes, between 2008–2015).
Generally voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (11 votes, between 2011–2015).
Almost always voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (23 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 10 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (23 votes, between 2010–2015).
Voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (2 votes, between 2010–2013).
Almost always voted against a banker’s bonus tax Show votes 1 vote for, 15 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (20 votes, between 2011–2015).
Almost always voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, in 2013).
Almost always voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Constitutional Reform #

Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes 10 votes for, 14 votes against, 13 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (37 votes, between 2010–2015).
Generally voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (15 votes, between 2010–2013).
Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (8 votes, between 1999–2010).
Consistently voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 11 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (13 votes, between 2013–2014).
Generally voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2012–2013).
Generally voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2015).
Voted a mixture of for and against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2014).
Voted against a lower voting age Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2004–2005. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (2 votes, between 2004–2005).
Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 9 votes against, 1 absence, between 2003–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (13 votes, between 2003–2012).
Generally voted against a transparent Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 5 absences, between 2007–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
Almost always voted for fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2010–2013).
Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 8 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (14 votes, between 2011–2015).
Almost always voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 1999–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (12 votes, between 1999–2013).

Last updated: 14 March 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

Generally voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 52 votes for, 7 votes against, 22 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (84 votes, between 2010–2015).
Generally voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, in 2013).
Consistently voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2009–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2008–2011).
Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 3 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2004–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (16 votes, between 2004–2014).
Has never voted on capping civil service redundancy payments Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, in 2010.
Generally voted against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, between 2013–2014).
Almost always voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 10 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (15 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2013).
Almost always voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2011–2013).
Generally voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, between 2013–2014).
Generally voted against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 2 votes for, 34 votes against, 31 absences, between 2001–2010. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (81 votes, between 2001–2010).

Last updated: 26 April 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Education #

Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes 4 votes for, 10 votes against, between 1997–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (20 votes, between 1997–2012).
Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 18 votes for, 0 votes against, 14 absences, between 1998–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (38 votes, between 1998–2014).
Generally voted for academy schools Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (13 votes, between 2010–2011).
Consistently voted for ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (2 votes, in 2011).
Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (1 votes, in 2010).

Last updated: 21 February 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Environmental Issues #

Consistently voted for selling England’s state owned forests Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (2 votes, in 2011).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Generally voted for culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (4 votes, between 2012–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 7 votes for, 6 votes against, 8 absences, between 2004–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (34 votes, between 2000–2013).
Consistently voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (15 votes, between 2012–2014).
Generally voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2013).
Has never voted on new high speed rail infrastructure Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2014.
Voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (3 votes, in 2015).

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Welfare and Benefits #

Generally 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 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, in 2012).
Consistently voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2011–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2013).
Consistently voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 14 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2011–2014).
Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 27 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (39 votes, between 2010–2015).
Almost always voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes 0 votes for, 8 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against (6 votes, in 2013).

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

Generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 2 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2009–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (12 votes, between 2009–2014).
Almost always voted against the hunting ban Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2003–2004. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2002–2004).
Generally voted against equal gay rights Show votes 1 vote for, 12 votes against, 14 absences, between 1999–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (31 votes, between 1998–2014).
Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 1997.
Generally voted against allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2004–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (12 votes, between 2004–2014).
Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2002–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (12 votes, between 1999–2015).

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Home Affairs #

Almost always voted against introducing ID cards Show votes 1 vote for, 19 votes against, 4 absences, between 2004–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (25 votes, between 2004–2006).
Consistently voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2008–2009).
Generally voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2012).
Generally voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2009–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2009–2014).
Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 6 votes for, 2 votes against, 14 absences, between 2002–2007. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (25 votes, between 2002–2007).

Last updated: 18 May 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Ruffley voted on Business and the Economy #

Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (19 votes, between 2010–2015).
Almost always voted for measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2013–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2013–2015).
Has never voted on new high speed rail infrastructure Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2014.
Generally voted for stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 7 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (14 votes, between 2010–2014).

Last updated: 8 December 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

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