A selection of Mark Simmonds's votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013
• Voted a mixture of for and against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 4 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2014
• Voted a mixture of for and against more EU integration Show votes 15 votes for, 39 votes against, 14 absences, between 2008–2014
• 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
• Voted a mixture of for and against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2003–2012
• Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 10 absences, between 2012–2014

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

Recent appearances

• Amendment of the Law 19 Mar 2015

  It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for West Bromwich West (Mr Bailey), but he will not be surprised to hear that I did not agree with his analysis at all. I gently ask him to reflect on how he will explain to his constituents during the election campaign his party’s plans to reduce the deficit, because we got none of that detail during the shadow Chancellor’s contribution. It is...

• Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Murder Trials: British Nationals Abroad 22 Jul 2014

  We provide a high level of support to families whose loved ones are murdered or on trial abroad, alongside UK police and specialist non-governmental organisations which we part-fund. Support can include providing additional information about local lawyers, accompanying families to meetings and attending trials at key points. We are currently reviewing what additional support is possible and...

• Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Murder Trials: British Nationals Abroad 22 Jul 2014

  I am well aware that the hon. Gentleman has a particularly sensitive case in his constituency, but I can assure him that we look at the individual circumstances of every case and an assessment is made of vulnerability. We use NGOs such as Missing Abroad, which can help secure free or cheap flights. Also, we use NGOs to provide video conferencing facilities to enable loved ones to watch the...

More of Mark Simmonds’s recent appearances

Profile

Former Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness

Entered the House of Commons on 7 June 2001 — General election

Left the House of Commons on 30 March 2015 — General election

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

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• International Development
• Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Health
• Education and Skills
• Home Department
• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• Zimbabwe
• Uganda
• Somalia

Other offices held in the past

• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (6 Sep 2012 to 11 Aug 2014)
• Shadow Minister (Health) (3 Jul 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Minister (International Development) (10 May 2005 to 3 Jul 2007)
• Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) (1 Jun 2004 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Minister (Education) (1 Jan 2004 to 1 Jun 2004)
• Shadow Minister (Health) (1 Jun 2003 to 30 Jan 2004)
• Member, Education & Skills Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 8 Dec 2003)
• Member, Environmental Audit Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 9 Jan 2003)

Previous MPs in this constituency

• Richard Body

Future MPs in this constituency

• Matt Warman

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill Committee (8 out of 8)
• International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill Committee (4 out of 10)
• Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Criminal Justice Bill Committee (28 out of 32)
• Crime (International Co-operation) Bill Committee (7 out of 8)
• Employment Bill Committee (16 out of 17)

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 6 debates in the last year — well below average amongst MPs. See all Mark Simmonds’s speeches
• Has received answers to 0 written questions in the last year — Ministers do not ask written questions.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a high number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2014, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 61.34% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — well 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.
• 59 people are tracking this MP
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 319 times in debates — average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)