Ann Widdecombe

Former Conservative MP for Maidstone and The Weald

Social Issues
Taxation and Employment
Health
Education
Foreign Policy and Defence
Environmental Issues
Constitutional Reform
Miscellaneous Topics
Home Affairs

As a result of COVID-19, some MPs have been less able to vote in Parliament, and this will be reflected 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.

Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 1999–2006).
Almost always voted against equal gay rights Show votes 0 votes for, 13 votes against, 4 absences, between 1999–2008. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (20 votes, between 1998–2008).
Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, in 1997. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (3 votes, between 1997–2000).
Consistently voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2009. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (3 votes, in 2009).
Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2003–2004. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2002–2004).
Has never voted on allowing marriage between two people of same sex Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2004.

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

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Taxation and Employment #

Has never voted on increasing the rate of VAT Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2008.
Voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2004–2010. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (5 votes, between 2003–2010).
We don’t have enough information to calculate Ann Widdecombe’s position on more restrictive regulation of trade union activity. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2008.
Voted against automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (1 votes, in 2010).
Voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (1 votes, in 2010).

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

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Health #

Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2003. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, in 2003).
Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 1999–2006).
Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, in 1997. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (3 votes, between 1997–2000).

Last updated: 11 September 2015. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Education #

Almost always voted against university tuition fees Show votes 1 vote for, 8 votes against, 2 absences, between 1997–2004. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (17 votes, between 1997–2004).
Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, 8 absences, between 1998–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (22 votes, between 1998–2006).

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

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2002–2003. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (7 votes, between 2001–2003).
Consistently voted for investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2003–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (19 votes, between 2003–2009).
We don’t have enough information to calculate Ann Widdecombe’s position on a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2008.
Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2003. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2002–2003).
Almost always voted against more EU integration Show votes 1 vote for, 29 votes against, 12 absences, between 2008–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (50 votes, between 2006–2009).
We don’t have enough information to calculate Ann Widdecombe’s position on strengthening the Military Covenant. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2007. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (3 votes, between 2000–2007).

Last updated: 15 July 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Environmental Issues #

Almost always voted against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 1 vote for, 4 votes against, 6 absences, between 2004–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (22 votes, between 2000–2009).

Last updated: 12 October 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Constitutional Reform #

Generally voted against a transparent Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 4 absences, between 2007–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
We don’t have enough information to calculate Ann Widdecombe’s position on a more proportional system for electing MPs. Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2010.
Almost always voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 9 votes against, between 2003–2007. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (11 votes, between 2003–2007).
Has never voted on a lower voting age Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2004–2005.
Almost always voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 1999–2007. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (9 votes, between 1999–2007).

Last updated: 20 January 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

Generally voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2005–2008. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2004–2008).
Generally voted against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 2 votes for, 28 votes against, 39 absences, between 2001–2010. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (80 votes, between 2001–2010).
Has never voted on the privatisation of Royal Mail Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2009.

Last updated: 8 January 2014. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Ann Widdecombe voted on Home Affairs #

Generally voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2008–2009).
Voted a mixture of for and against introducing ID cards Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 17 absences, between 2005–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (25 votes, between 2004–2006).
Voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 19 absences, between 2002–2007. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (25 votes, between 2002–2007).
Voted against requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2009. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (1 votes, in 2009).

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

More on their full voting record on Public Whip

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