Voting summaries

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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Steve Webb’s voting in Parliament

Steve Webb was previously a Liberal Democrat MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Liberal Democrat MPs.

Steve Webb has hardly ever rebelled against their party in their last parliament. Find out more.

How Steve Webb voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 5 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2009–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for equal gay rights Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2002–2004. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2003–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 1997. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.

Last updated: 1 March 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Steve Webb voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• 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 Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for academy schools Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2004–2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 11 votes for, 4 votes against, between 1998–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 16 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently 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 4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• 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 Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2008. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2003–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 1997. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Voted for reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.

Last updated: 7 March 2023. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Steve Webb voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 18 votes for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2003. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2003–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2007. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Has never voted in a major vote about investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Has never voted on improving environmental water quality Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012.
• Consistently voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 6 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Has never voted on a publicly owned railway system Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Consistently voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2009–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2009. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted against.
• Almost always voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes 1 vote for, 10 votes against, 2 absences, between 2002–2005. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against introducing ID cards Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004–2006. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 17 January 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Steve Webb voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 4 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2004–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 44 votes for, 4 votes against, 11 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, between 2001–2005. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How Steve Webb voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 16 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against reducing capital gains tax Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

Last updated: 12 March 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Steve Webb voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Voted a mixture of for and against more powers for local councils Show votes 6 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Almost always voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Has never voted in a major vote about a transparent Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2007.
• 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 Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 1999–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for a lower voting age Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2005. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.

Last updated: 16 January 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Steve Webb voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 6 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 14 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

More on their full voting record on Public Whip