A selection of Robert Smith's votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 27 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2015
• Has never voted on raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year
• Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2012
• Generally voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2015
• Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 10 votes for, 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2011–2014
• Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013

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

Recent appearances

• Written Answers — Department for Energy and Climate Change: Energy: Meters 26 Mar 2015

  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of amending the licence conditions for retailers responsible for implementing smart meters so that they may use normative benchmark comparisons as an alternative to in-home displays on (a) the total cost of that implementation project and (b) the likelihood of achieving...

• Ways and Means: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation — Amendment of the Law 18 Mar 2015

  Will the hon. Gentleman give way on that point?

• Ways and Means: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation — Amendment of the Law 18 Mar 2015

  I thank the hon. Gentleman for his recognition of the coalition, which the broadcasters have lost sight of in reporting what happens in the House. The Budget specifically talked about how Government can get in the way of business, but has it not shown how the Government can, with the right engagement, take positive action, as they have with the North sea oil and gas industry? Entering into...

More of Robert Smith’s recent appearances

Profile

Former Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

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

Left the House of Commons on 30 March 2015 — General election

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

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Trade and Industry
• Treasury
• Scotland
• Energy and Climate Change
• Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands
• Fuel Poverty
• Renewable Energy
• Post Offices
• Prisoners' Transfers

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Consolidation Bills (Joint Committee) (6 Dec 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Energy and Climate Change Committee (12 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Energy and Climate Change Committee (19 Jan 2009 to 6 May 2010)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) (1 Jul 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (20 Dec 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, International Development Committee (16 Apr 2007 to 19 Jan 2009)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Business, Innovation and Skills) (1 Jun 2005 to 1 Jun 2006)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) (1 Jun 2005 to 1 Jun 2006)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Scotland) (10 May 2005 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Member, Accommodation and works Committee (28 May 2004 to 11 Apr 2005)
• Member, Standing Orders Committee (24 Oct 2001 to 5 May 2005)
• Member, Unopposed Bills (Panel) (17 Oct 2001 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Procedure Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Trade & Industry Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 25 Oct 2005)
• Opposition Deputy Chief Whip (Commons) (10 Jun 2001 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Member, Scottish Affairs Committee (1 Nov 1999 to 11 May 2001)

Future MPs in this constituency

• Stuart Donaldson
• Andrew Bowie

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Criminal Justice and Courts Bill Committee (8 out of 13)
• Citizenship (Armed Forces) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Energy Bill Committee (13 out of 16)
• Vehicle Registration Marks Bill Committee (1 out of 1)

Numerology

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

• Has spoken in 23 debates in the last year — average amongst MPs. See all Robert Smith’s speeches
• Has received answers to 4 written questions in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a high number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2014, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 77.00% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — above average amongst MPs. (From Public Whip)
• This MP’s speeches, in Hansard, are readable by an average 18–19 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 39 people are tracking this MP
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 332 times in debates — average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)