Jo Swinson’s voting in Parliament

Jo Swinson is a Liberal Democrat MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Liberal Democrat MPs.

This is a selection of Jo Swinson’s votes.

• Almost always voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 9 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013
• Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 26 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2012–2015
• Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 59 votes for, 12 votes against, 48 absences, between 2006–2019
• 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
• Almost always voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 20 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2008–2019

Last updated: 4 Sep 2019. Please share these votes responsibly.

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

Jo Swinson has never rebelled against their party in the current parliament. Find out more.

Recent appearances

• Debate on the Address: [1st Day] 14 Oct 2019

  It is a great pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch). Her remarks about the importance of mental health were particularly worth listening to. On behalf of my colleagues on the ever-expanding Liberal Democrat Benches, let me associate myself with the words of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition about Paul Flynn. He was a thoughtful man, an...

• Debate on the Address: [1st Day] 14 Oct 2019

  I wholeheartedly endorse what my hon. Friend says about the human cost; it has not been properly taken into account by this Government.

• Debate on the Address: [1st Day] 14 Oct 2019

  My hon. Friend is quite right. In this place, we often have the debates, the braying and the back-and-forth across the Dispatch Box, and it can feel like the pantomime or theatre, but this is people’s lives that we are talking about, and some of them are sitting in the Gallery today. I was going to ask the Prime Minister, but he is no longer here, so I hope that the Ministers will have the...

More of Jo Swinson’s recent appearances

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Profile

Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire

Entered the House of Commons on 5 May 2005 — General election

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

Social Media

• @joswinson
• https://facebook.com/joswinson

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Home Department
• Treasury
• Health
• Work and Pensions
• Mental Illness
• Departmental Manpower
• Embassies
• Mental Health
• Departmental Televisions

Currently held offices

• Leader of the Liberal Democrats (since 22 Jul 2019)
• Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats (since 20 Jun 2017)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs) (since 16 Jun 2017)

Other offices held in the past

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Women and Equalities) (30 Jun 2014 to 8 May 2015)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (30 Jun 2014 to 8 May 2015)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities (6 Sep 2012 to 20 Dec 2013)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (6 Sep 2012 to 20 Dec 2013)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs) (1 Jul 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) (1 Jul 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Environmental Audit Committee (12 Jul 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Minister (Women and Equality) (1 Mar 2007 to 1 Oct 2007)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Women and Equality) (1 Mar 2007 to 1 Oct 2007)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland) (10 Mar 2006 to 20 Dec 2007)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland (10 Mar 2006 to 20 Dec 2007)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) (10 May 2005 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport) (10 May 2005 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Liberal Democrat Whip (10 May 2005 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport) (10 May 2005 to 10 Mar 2006)

Future MPs in this constituency

• John Nicolson

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill Committee (16 out of 16)
• Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Children and Families Bill Committee (18 out of 19)
• Postal Services Bill Committee (19 out of 21)
• Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• London Olympics Bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill Committee (6 out of 7)
• National Lottery Bill Committee (8 out of 8)

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 63 debates in the last year — above average amongst MPs. See all Jo Swinson’s speeches
• Has received answers to 86 written questions in the last year — above average amongst MPs.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a low number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2014, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 56.50% 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 17–18 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 133 people are tracking this MP — email me updates on Jo Swinson’s activity
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 742 times in debates — well above average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)