John Spellar’s voting in Parliament

John Spellar is a Labour MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Labour MPs.

This is a selection of John Spellar’s votes.

• Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2016
• Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 6 absences, 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
• Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016
• Generally voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 10 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2016
• Voted a mixture of for and against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2003–2016

Last updated: 4 Sep 2019. Please share these votes responsibly.

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

John Spellar has occasionally rebelled against their party in the current parliament. Find out more.

Recent appearances

• Oral Answers to Questions — Education: Topical Questions 9 Sep 2019

  I am sure Ministers are aware of the widespread concern in local government at the escalating costs of childcare, much of it driven by private fostering and care companies, often now owned by private equity, and of a tendency to put children into care at an early stage and not as a last resort. Do Ministers share that concern? If so, what are they going to do about it?

• Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Atheism 9 Sep 2019

  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department taking to protect the freedom of atheists around the world.

• Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Nicaragua: Catholicism 5 Sep 2019

  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Nicaraguan counterpart on reports of harassment of the Catholic Church in that country.

More of John Spellar’s recent appearances

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Profile

Labour MP for Warley

Entered the House of Commons on 28 October 1982 — unknown

Also represented Warley West; Birmingham, Northfield

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

Social Media

• @spellar
• https://facebook.com/johnspellar

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

We don't know whether John Spellar campaigned to leave, or stay in the European Union Source: BBC

• Home Department
• Transport
• Health
• Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Treasury
• Members: Correspondence
• Correspondence
• Departmental Expenditure
• Drinking Water
• Afghanistan

Currently held offices

• Member, Defence Sub-Committee (since 12 Sep 2017)
• Member, Defence Committee (since 11 Sep 2017)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee) (10 Feb 2016 to 3 May 2017)
• Member, Defence Sub-Committee (8 Sep 2015 to 3 May 2017)
• Member, Defence Committee (6 Jul 2015 to 3 May 2017)
• Member, Administration Committee (22 Nov 2010 to 1 Jul 2013)
• Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) (8 Oct 2010 to 18 Sep 2015)
• Member, Committee of Selection (21 Jun 2010 to 13 Oct 2010)
• Member, Finance and Services Committee (9 Feb 2009 to 6 May 2010)
• Comptroller (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons) (5 Oct 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Conventions (Joint Committee) (17 May 2006 to 31 Oct 2006)
• The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (13 Jun 2003 to 10 May 2005)
• Minister of State (Department for Transport) (29 May 2002 to 13 Jun 2003)
• Minister of State (Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions) (Transport) (8 Jun 2001 to 29 May 2002)
• The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (29 Jul 1999 to 8 Jun 2001)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (6 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1999)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Defence) (1 Jun 1995 to 1 Jun 1997)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) (1 Jun 1994 to 1 Jun 1995)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) (1 Jun 1992 to 1 Jun 1994)
• Member, Energy Committee (21 Jan 1983 to 9 Jun 1983)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) (Amendment) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Superannuation bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• Railways and Transport Safety Bill Committee (17 out of 18)
• Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill Committee (2 out of 2)

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 51 debates in the last year — above average amongst MPs. See all John Spellar’s speeches
• Has received answers to 106 written questions in the last year — well above average amongst MPs.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a high number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2015, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 76.18% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — below 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.
• 76 people are tracking this MP — email me updates on John Spellar’s activity
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 712 times in debates — well above average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)