Voting summaries

For period: All time

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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Andrew Smith’s voting in Parliament

Andrew Smith 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, Andrew Smith sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• Generally voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, between 2011 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 3 votes against, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.

How Andrew Smith voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for new nuclear power Show votes 1 vote for, between 2002 and 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 11 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2000 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes against, between 2010 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, between 2011 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2013 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.

Last updated: 20 February 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for introducing ID cards Show votes 12 votes for, between 2004 and 2006. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 3 votes for, between 2008 and 2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 10 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2002 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 4 votes against, between 2010 and 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 5 votes for, 1 absence, between 2009 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted against stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 1 vote for, 2 absences, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 1 vote against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for restricting the right to protest Show votes 2 votes for, between 1998 and 2005. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.

Last updated: 22 May 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 5 votes for, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 2 absences, between 1999 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 3 votes against, between 2011 and 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 3 votes for, between 2011 and 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 1997 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against restricting the sale and advertising of tobacco and other nicotine products Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2001 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted against reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes 1 vote against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2007 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.

Last updated: 29 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 1 vote for, 21 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 2 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2010 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2013 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted against measures to allow free trade Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.

Last updated: 6 September 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes 1 vote for, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes against, between 2010 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, between 2014 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.

Last updated: 29 July 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 3 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Almost always voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 8 votes for, 2 absences, between 2001 and 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 2 votes against, between 2009 and 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 5 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 2 votes for, 46 votes against, 10 absences, between 2010 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 7 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 1 vote for, between 2013 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for openness and transparency. Show votes 9 votes for, 3 votes against, 9 absences, between 2007 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.

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

How Andrew Smith voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 2 votes against, between 2003 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 3 votes against, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 2 votes for, 5 absences, between 2008 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes 2 votes for, between 2002 and 2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 15 votes for, 6 votes against, 16 absences, between 2006 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2002 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 1 vote for, between 2010 and 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 2 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How Andrew Smith voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, between 1997 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Almost always voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes 2 votes for, 12 votes against, 1 absence, between 1998 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against academy schools Show votes 7 votes against, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.

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

How Andrew Smith voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 2 absences, between 1999 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted for equal gay rights Show votes 7 votes for, 2 absences, between 1998 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes 3 votes for, between 2002 and 2004. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 2004 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 6 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2009 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 1997 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted against supporting marriage and civil partnerships Show votes 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.

Last updated: 29 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2003 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for a lower voting age Show votes 4 votes for, 2 absences, between 2004 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for more powers for government ministers Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2006 and 2012. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 1999 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 2 votes for, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Generally voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 11 votes against, between 2013 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes 14 votes for, 7 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 9 absences, between 2011 and 2017. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 11 votes for, 9 votes against, 11 absences, between 2011 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 3 December 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Housing #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 5 votes against, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 5 votes against, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.

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

How Andrew Smith voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

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

Last updated: 6 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Andrew Smith voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 25 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 11 votes for, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 5 votes for, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• 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 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 3 votes for, between 2011 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.

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