Dennis Skinner

Former Labour MP for Bolsover

https://facebook.com/dennisskinnermp

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

There are currently votes on relevant topics that are not included in the summaries below. We are working on bringing these records up to date over the next few months.

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 Dennis Skinner voted on Education #

Consistently voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes 2 votes for, 29 votes against, between 1998–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (38 votes, between 1998–2014).
Consistently voted against ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (2 votes, in 2011).
Generally voted against university tuition fees Show votes 6 votes for, 7 votes against, 3 absences, between 1998–2017. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (22 votes, between 1997–2017).
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 consistently voted against (1 votes, in 2010).
Consistently voted against academy schools Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (17 votes, between 2010–2016).

Last updated: 29 June 2017. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Business and the Economy #

Generally voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2013–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (13 votes, between 2013–2018).
Almost always voted against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 7 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2010–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (18 votes, between 2010–2015).
Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 1 vote for, 24 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (28 votes, between 2010–2016).

Last updated: 1 July 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Environmental Issues #

Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, in 2015).
Consistently voted against selling England’s state owned forests Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (2 votes, in 2011).
Almost always voted against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Consistently voted against culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, between 2012–2014).
Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 22 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2000–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (47 votes, between 2000–2019).
Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2011–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (11 votes, between 2011–2018).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 10 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Almost always voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (17 votes, between 2012–2017).

Last updated: 13 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 1997–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, between 1997–2015).
Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2004–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (13 votes, between 2004–2019).
Almost always voted for equal gay rights Show votes 28 votes for, 1 vote against, between 1999–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (33 votes, between 1998–2019).
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 8 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 1999–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (12 votes, between 1999–2015).
Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2003–2004. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2002–2004).
Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 14 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2011–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (19 votes, between 2009–2019).

Last updated: 18 July 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Housing #

Consistently voted against charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2015–2016).
Consistently voted against phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2015–2016).

Last updated: 3 May 2016. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Constitutional Reform #

Consistently voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2012–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2012–2019).
Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes 33 votes for, 18 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (52 votes, between 2010–2018).
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, 3 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (5 votes, in 2015).
Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 1 vote for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 2010–2014).
Generally voted for a transparent Parliament Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2007–2009. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
Consistently voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 0 votes for, 9 votes against, between 2011–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (13 votes, between 2010–2019).
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 25 votes for, 14 votes against, 7 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (48 votes, between 2011–2018).
Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 0 votes for, 12 votes against, between 2013–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (14 votes, between 2013–2016).
Almost always voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 2 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (10 votes, between 1999–2016).
Generally voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 11 votes against, between 2003–2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (14 votes, between 2003–2016).
Generally voted for a lower voting age Show votes 5 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2004–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (7 votes, between 2004–2016).
Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 1 vote for, 7 votes against, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, between 2010–2016).
Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 8 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 1999–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (13 votes, between 1999–2016).
Consistently voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, between 2011–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (16 votes, between 2010–2016).
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 16 votes for, 3 votes against, 12 absences, between 2017–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (35 votes, between 2011–2018).

Last updated: 25 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Health #

Almost always voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (10 votes, between 2010–2019).
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 8 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 1999–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (12 votes, between 1999–2015).
Almost always voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2011–2012).
Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, in 2003).
Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 1997–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, between 1997–2015).

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

How Dennis Skinner voted on Transport #

Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 10 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Almost always voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Almost always voted for greater public control of bus services Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (3 votes, between 2014–2016).
Consistently voted for slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (5 votes, between 2012–2013).
Consistently voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (4 votes, between 2014–2016).

Last updated: 31 October 2017. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Taxation and Employment #

Generally voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2004–2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 2003–2011).
Almost always voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 0 votes for, 26 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (29 votes, between 2011–2018).
Almost always voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (8 votes, between 2012–2014).
Almost always voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 10 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Consistently voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 12 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (23 votes, between 2011–2015).
Voted a mixture of for and against higher taxes on banks Show votes 9 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2011–2018. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (20 votes, between 2011–2018).
Almost always voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 5 votes for, 22 votes against, between 2010–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (34 votes, between 2008–2019).
Consistently voted for an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (4 votes, in 2013).
Almost always voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 5 votes for, 17 votes against, between 2010–2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (26 votes, between 2010–2017).
Almost always voted for a banker’s bonus tax Show votes 16 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (20 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted against reducing capital gains tax Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (9 votes, between 2010–2016).
Generally voted for automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (3 votes, between 2010–2011).
Consistently voted against more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes 0 votes for, 12 votes against, between 2008–2017. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (12 votes, between 2008–2017).

Last updated: 25 June 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

Generally voted against use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 1 vote for, 7 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (15 votes, between 2001–2015).
Voted a mixture of for and against more EU integration Show votes 83 votes for, 40 votes against, 22 absences, between 2006–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (173 votes, between 2006–2019).
Generally voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes 5 votes for, 10 votes against, 9 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (24 votes, between 2016–2019).
Almost always voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2007–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (11 votes, between 2000–2019).
Almost always voted for a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 8 votes for, 5 votes against, 5 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (18 votes, between 2016–2019).
Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 9 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2008–2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (26 votes, between 2008–2016).
Generally voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 2 votes for, 11 votes against, 2 absences, between 2003–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (20 votes, between 2003–2016).
Generally voted against the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2002–2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2002–2003).
Consistently voted against military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (3 votes, between 2014–2015).
Almost always voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2012. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (5 votes, between 2010–2012).

Last updated: 30 December 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Welfare and Benefits #

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 almost always voted against (8 votes, in 2012).
Consistently 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, 18 votes against, between 2012–2018. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (18 votes, between 2011–2018).
Consistently voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 0 votes for, 51 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (63 votes, between 2010–2016).
Consistently voted for spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (10 votes, between 2011–2014).
Consistently voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 15 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (18 votes, between 2011–2016).
Consistently voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for (6 votes, in 2013).

Last updated: 18 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Home Affairs #

Consistently voted against merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (3 votes, in 2016).
Consistently voted for allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2008–2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (5 votes, between 2008–2009).
Generally voted against requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2009–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2009–2016).
Consistently voted against stronger enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 0 votes for, 9 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, between 2015–2016).
Generally voted for introducing ID cards Show votes 12 votes for, 3 votes against, 9 absences, between 2004–2006. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (25 votes, between 2004–2006).
Generally voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes 8 votes for, 17 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (35 votes, between 2002–2016).
Consistently voted against mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (3 votes, in 2016).
Almost always voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, between 2010–2012).

Last updated: 19 October 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Dennis Skinner voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

Generally voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 49 votes for, 19 votes against, 2 absences, between 2001–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (81 votes, between 2001–2010).
Generally voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes 9 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (16 votes, between 2004–2014).
Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 1 vote for, 11 votes against, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (15 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2013–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (5 votes, between 2013–2016).
Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, in 2010).
Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2018. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2013–2018).
Consistently voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 2012–2013).
Generally voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (6 votes, in 2013).
Consistently voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2009–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (6 votes, between 2008–2011).
Consistently voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (6 votes, between 2011–2013).
Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 10 votes for, 67 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (84 votes, between 2010–2015).

Last updated: 30 September 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

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