As a result of COVID-19, some MPs were less able to vote in Parliament in certain periods, and this will be reflected by absences in their voting record.
Show more detail
- 11th May to 2nd June 2020
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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
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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
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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.
How Phil Woolas voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
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We don’t have enough information to calculate Phil Woolas’s position on strengthening the Military Covenant. Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010.
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We don’t have enough information to calculate Phil Woolas’s position on a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2008.
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Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2002–2003).
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Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
3 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2002–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2001–2010).
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Almost always voted for more EU integration Show votes
31 votes for, 1 vote against, 11 absences, between 2006–2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (52 votes, between 2006–2010).
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Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2007. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (4 votes, between 2000–2010).
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Consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes
1 vote for, 12 votes against, between 2003–2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (19 votes, between 2003–2009).
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
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How Phil Woolas voted on Social Issues #
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Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2002–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 1999–2010).
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Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2003–2004. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2002–2004).
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Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2009. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (3 votes, in 2009).
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We don’t have enough information to calculate Phil Woolas’s position on allowing marriage between two people of same sex. Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2004.
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Voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 1997. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (3 votes, between 1997–2000).
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Almost always voted for equal gay rights Show votes
16 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 1999–2008. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (20 votes, between 1998–2008).
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
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How Phil Woolas voted on Taxation and Employment #
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Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (3 votes, in 2010).
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Almost always voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
0 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2008–2010).
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We don’t have enough information to calculate Phil Woolas’s position on lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles. Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
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Voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (1 votes, in 2010).
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Voted a mixture of for and against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2004–2010. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (6 votes, between 2003–2010).
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Generally voted for automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (2 votes, in 2010).
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We don’t have enough information to calculate Phil Woolas’s position on more restrictive regulation of trade union activity. Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2010.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Phil Woolas voted on Home Affairs #
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Consistently voted for introducing ID cards Show votes
23 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004–2006. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (25 votes, between 2004–2006).
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Almost always voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes
18 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2002–2007. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (25 votes, between 2002–2007).
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Voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (1 votes, in 2010).
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Has never voted on requiring the mass retention of information about communications Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2009.
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Consistently voted for allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2008–2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (5 votes, between 2008–2009).
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
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Voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (2 votes, in 2010).
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Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (6 votes, in 2010).
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Generally voted against a transparent Parliament Show votes
2 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2007–2009. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
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Voted a mixture of for and against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (8 votes, between 1999–2010).
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Has never voted on fixed periods between parliamentary elections Details
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
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Generally voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, in 2010).
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Voted against a lower voting age Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2004–2005. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (2 votes, between 2004–2005).
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Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 1999–2007. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 1999–2007).
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Almost always voted for more powers for local councils Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (4 votes, in 2010).
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Voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2003–2007. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (11 votes, between 2003–2007).
Last updated: 28 February 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Phil Woolas voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
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Consistently voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2009–2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against (4 votes, between 2008–2010).
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Consistently voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes
59 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2001–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (81 votes, between 2001–2010).
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Generally voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, in 2010).
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Consistently voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes
0 votes for, 8 votes against, between 2005–2008. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (9 votes, between 2004–2008).
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Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, in 2010).
Last updated: 30 September 2020.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Phil Woolas voted on Health #
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Voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 1997. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (3 votes, between 1997–2000).
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Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2002–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 1999–2010).
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Consistently voted for introducing foundation hospitals Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (9 votes, in 2003).
Last updated: 11 September 2015.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Phil Woolas voted on Education #
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Generally voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes
8 votes for, 17 votes against, 2 absences, between 1998–2010. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against (33 votes, between 1998–2010).
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Consistently voted for university tuition fees Show votes
10 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 1997–2004. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for (17 votes, between 1997–2004).
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Almost always voted against academy schools Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against (11 votes, in 2010).
Last updated: 21 February 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
