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.

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David Heyes’s voting in Parliament

David Heyes was previously a Labour MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Labour MPs.

However, David Heyes sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• David Heyes generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals; comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for. Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2003.
• David Heyes consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system; comparable Labour MPs generally voted for. Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2007.
• David Heyes consistently voted against the Iraq war; comparable Labour MPs generally voted for. Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2003.

David Heyes has hardly ever rebelled against their party in their last parliament. Find out more.

How David Heyes voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 8 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
• Has never voted on an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013.
• Voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Has never voted in a major vote about automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
• Generally voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Almost always voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 0 votes for, 14 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2015.
• Almost always voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2008–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes 7 votes for, 4 votes against, 6 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2003–2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 6 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Has never voted in a major vote about a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
• Generally voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Has never voted on a transparent Parliament Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2007.
• Has never voted in a major vote about a lower voting age Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2005.
• Voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 8 absences, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 3 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2007–2012. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.

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

How David Heyes voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2008. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Has never voted on reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013.

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

How David Heyes voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes 0 votes for, 8 votes against, 6 absences, between 2002–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against academy schools Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2004–2010. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Has never voted on a publicly owned railway system Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.

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

How David Heyes voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Has never voted in a major vote about measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014.
• Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 1 vote for, 12 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 5 votes for, 4 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2003–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2007. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2003. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, 12 absences, between 2007–2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for equal gay rights Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2002–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 4 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2009–2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2002–2004. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.

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

How David Heyes voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for introducing ID cards Show votes 12 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2004–2006. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2008–2009. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 13 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2002–2005. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2009–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.

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

How David Heyes voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Has never voted on allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2013.
• Generally voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2010. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 8 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2001–2005. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
• Has never voted in a major vote about requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.
• Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 4 votes for, 42 votes against, 13 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 3 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005–2013. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How David Heyes voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, 5 absences, between 2008–2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
• Voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
• Has never voted in a major vote about financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2013.
• Generally voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2014.

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

More on their full voting record on Public Whip