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.
If you want to support and help us improve these summaries, please consider donating.
Learn more about how we'll use your donation and other ways to help.
Michael Gove’s voting in Parliament
Michael Gove was previously a Conservative MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Conservative MPs.
However, Michael Gove sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:
Michael Gove has never rebelled against their party in their last parliament. Find out more.
How Michael Gove voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
0 votes for, 7 votes against, 8 absences, between 2020–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Almost always voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes
0 votes for, 12 votes against, 4 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against more EU integration Show votes
14 votes for, 47 votes against, 16 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Almost always voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 10 votes against, 2 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
5 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Environmental Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted a mixture of for and against improving environmental water quality Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2012–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes
1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2018–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
8 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against improving biodiversity Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 3 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted against measures to prevent climate change Show votes
4 votes for, 17 votes against, 1 agreement for, 10 absences, between 2012–2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against improving air quality Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2015–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
Last updated: 20 February 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Transport #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for adding a third runway at Heathrow Airport Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2018. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against a publicly owned railway system Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 21 September 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
35 votes for, 1 vote against, 23 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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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 Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for the free movement of goods, and mutual recognition of qualifications, within the United Kingdom Show votes
9 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2020–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2005. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Voted a mixture of for and against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes
1 vote for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2006–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Almost always voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes
7 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 26 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Housing #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted against stronger fire safety measures Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2020–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted against more proscriptive planning laws Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2020–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against landlords paying for the costs of building safety works Show votes
0 votes for, 9 votes against, in 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
Last updated: 20 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Health #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2021–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted for public health measures and social restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 Show votes
19 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2020–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2007–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
Last updated: 7 March 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Taxation and Employment #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes
3 votes for, 9 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes
20 votes for, 4 votes against, 9 absences, between 2011–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2008–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes
6 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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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.
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Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes
13 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2023. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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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 Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 12 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Social Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted for equal gay rights Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
3 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2009–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
Last updated: 1 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Home Affairs #
For votes held while they were in office:
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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 Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Almost always voted for stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes
19 votes for, 2 votes against, 5 absences, between 2015–2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against introducing ID cards Show votes
0 votes for, 8 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005–2006. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes
18 votes for, 0 votes against, 8 absences, between 2005–2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2008–2009. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted for merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted for authorising criminal conduct by undercover officers and covert sources Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2020–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for making it easier to remove those trespassing on land with an intent to reside there Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016–2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
Last updated: 25 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Voted a mixture of for and against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
3 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2010–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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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 Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Voted for approving reports and recommendations made by the Standards Committee Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 agreements for, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
9 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
2 votes for, 15 votes against, 8 absences, between 2016–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes
2 votes for, 12 votes against, 12 absences, between 2010–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2007–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes
2 votes for, 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Generally voted against a lower voting age Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2015–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for photographic voter identification at polling stations Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2021–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Has never voted in a major vote about a transparent Parliament Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2007.
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Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
3 votes for, 29 votes against, 11 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 16 January 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Business and the Economy #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
19 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2010–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against requiring imported goods to meet domestic standards Show votes
1 vote for, 3 votes against, between 2020–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
7 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2013–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
7 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
8 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 8 December 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Michael Gove voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for increasing the state pension age Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes
0 votes for, 12 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
24 votes for, 1 vote against, 8 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally 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
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2012. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
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.
- 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.
See more detail on votes during the COVID-19 period here.
Note for journalists and researchers: The data on this page may be used freely, on condition that TheyWorkForYou.com is cited as the source.
This data was produced by TheyWorkForYou from a variety of sources.
For an explanation of the vote descriptions please see our page about voting information on TheyWorkForYou.
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