Tim Farron

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale

@timfarron https://facebook.com/timfarronmp

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Housing
Taxation and Employment
Transport
Business and the Economy
Environmental Issues
Education
Foreign Policy and Defence
Welfare and Benefits
Home Affairs
Health
Constitutional Reform
Miscellaneous Topics
Social Issues

There are currently votes on relevant topics that are not included in the summaries below. We are working on bringing these records up to date over the next few months.

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.

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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.

How Tim Farron voted on Housing #

Almost always voted against phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2015–2016).
Generally voted against charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2015–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (5 votes, between 2015–2016).

Last updated: 3 May 2016. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Taxation and Employment #

Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Generally voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2012–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (23 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 19 votes for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2010–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (34 votes, between 2008–2019).
Generally voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2007–2011).
Voted a mixture of for and against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 9 votes for, 8 votes against, 12 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (29 votes, between 2011–2018).
Generally voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, 8 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (20 votes, between 2011–2018).
Generally voted against reducing capital gains tax Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (9 votes, between 2010–2016).
Generally voted against a banker’s bonus tax Show votes 1 vote for, 11 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (20 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted against more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 6 absences, between 2008–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (12 votes, between 2008–2017).
Voted for automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (3 votes, between 2010–2011).
Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Almost always voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, in 2013).
Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 10 votes for, 2 votes against, 10 absences, between 2010–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (26 votes, between 2010–2017).
Generally voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2014).

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

How Tim Farron voted on Transport #

Voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (4 votes, between 2014–2016).
Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Generally voted against greater public control of bus services Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (3 votes, between 2014–2016).
Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Consistently voted against slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2012–2013).

Last updated: 31 October 2017. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Business and the Economy #

Voted a mixture of for and against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, 10 absences, between 2013–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (16 votes, between 2013–2020).
Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Generally voted against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (18 votes, between 2010–2015).
Generally voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 11 votes for, 4 votes against, 11 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (28 votes, between 2010–2016).

Last updated: 1 July 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Environmental Issues #

Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (4 votes, in 2015).
Has never voted on culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2014.
Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 23 votes for, 4 votes against, 8 absences, between 2007–2021. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (47 votes, between 2005–2021).
Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Voted against selling England’s state owned forests Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (2 votes, in 2011).
Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Voted a mixture of for and against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (11 votes, between 2011–2018).
Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).

Last updated: 13 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Education #

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 Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (1 votes, in 2010).
Consistently voted against university tuition fees Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2017. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (5 votes, between 2010–2017).
Voted a mixture of for and against greater autonomy for schools Show votes 4 votes for, 7 votes against, 11 absences, between 2006–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (27 votes, between 2006–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against academy schools Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (17 votes, between 2010–2016).
Has never voted on ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2011.

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

How Tim Farron voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

Generally voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2007–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (10 votes, between 2007–2019).
Almost always voted for investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 8 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2006–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (11 votes, between 2006–2016).
Voted a mixture of for and against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 6 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2008–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (26 votes, between 2008–2016).
Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (3 votes, between 2014–2015).
Almost always voted for UK membership of the EU Show votes 19 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2017–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (24 votes, between 2016–2019).
Generally voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2010–2020).
Generally voted for a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 15 votes for, 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2016–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (22 votes, between 2016–2020).
Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2015).
Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 98 votes for, 14 votes against, 43 absences, between 2006–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (183 votes, between 2006–2020).

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

How Tim Farron voted on Welfare and Benefits #

Voted a mixture of for and against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 4 votes for, 6 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (18 votes, between 2011–2016).
Almost always voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 8 votes for, 4 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (18 votes, between 2011–2018).
Consistently 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 4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, in 2012).
Voted a mixture of for and against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 17 votes for, 16 votes against, 22 absences, between 2012–2021. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (64 votes, between 2010–2021).
Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (6 votes, in 2013).

Last updated: 18 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Home Affairs #

Consistently voted against mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (6 votes, in 2013).
Almost always voted against stronger enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 0 votes for, 8 votes against, 3 absences, between 2015–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (11 votes, between 2015–2020).
Generally voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2012).
Has never voted on merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2016.
Consistently voted against introducing ID cards Show votes 0 votes for, 14 votes against, between 2005–2006. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted against (15 votes, between 2005–2006).
Generally voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2009. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2008–2009).
Consistently voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes 0 votes for, 14 votes against, 2 absences, between 2007–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (21 votes, between 2005–2020).
Voted a mixture of for and against requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2014–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2009–2016).

Last updated: 19 October 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Health #

Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2006–2015).
Generally voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (10 votes, between 2010–2019).
Generally voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (7 votes, between 2011–2012).
Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015.

Last updated: 23 October 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Constitutional Reform #

Has never voted on a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, in 2015.
Generally voted for a transparent Parliament Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2007–2009. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
Almost always voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 6 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2007–2016).
Generally voted for a lower voting age Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2005–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2005–2016).
Generally voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (10 votes, between 2010–2020).
Generally voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 10 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (20 votes, between 2010–2020).
Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 15 votes for, 7 votes against, 19 absences, between 2017–2021. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (45 votes, between 2011–2021).
Generally voted for a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against (10 votes, between 2010–2020).
Voted a mixture of for and against more powers for local councils Show votes 13 votes for, 12 votes against, 27 absences, between 2010–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (52 votes, between 2010–2018).
Generally voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2012–2019).
Consistently voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 10 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (14 votes, between 2013–2016).
Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 14 votes for, 10 votes against, 33 absences, between 2017–2021. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (59 votes, between 2011–2021).
Consistently voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2007–2016).
Voted a mixture of for and against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 3 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2021. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (14 votes, between 2010–2021).

Last updated: 25 January 2021. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Tim Farron voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

Generally voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (6 votes, in 2013).
Generally voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2018. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (6 votes, between 2013–2018).
Almost always voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2011–2013).
Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2013).
Voted a mixture of for and against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2014–2016. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (5 votes, between 2013–2016).
Generally voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 3 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2005–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against (12 votes, between 2005–2014).
Generally voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (6 votes, between 2010–2020).
Almost always voted against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 2 votes for, 20 votes against, 2 absences, between 2005–2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against (27 votes, between 2005–2010).
Has never voted on the privatisation of Royal Mail Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2009–2011.
Generally voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (15 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 41 votes for, 7 votes against, 33 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (84 votes, between 2010–2015).

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

Voted a mixture of for and against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 10 absences, between 2012–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (19 votes, between 2009–2019).
Generally voted for equal gay rights Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2007–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (16 votes, between 2007–2019).
Has never voted on allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015.
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2006–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2006–2015).
Generally voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2019. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for (12 votes, between 2013–2019).

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

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