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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Duncan Hames’s voting in Parliament

Duncan Hames was previously a Liberal Democrat MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Liberal Democrat MPs.

However, Duncan Hames sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• Duncan Hames voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship; comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for. Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014.
• Duncan Hames voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas; comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015.

Duncan Hames has hardly ever rebelled against their party in their last parliament. Find out more.

How Duncan Hames voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Almost always voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 47 votes for, 3 votes against, 9 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• 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 Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Voted for smoking bans Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for equal gay rights Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 17 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• 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 consistently voted for.
• 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. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 11 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 1 vote for, 8 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Voted a mixture of for and against more powers for local councils Show votes 6 votes for, 8 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• 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 Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Has never voted in a major vote about an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013.
• Consistently voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2012.
• Consistently voted against reducing capital gains tax Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Consistently voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 14 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.

Last updated: 20 April 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Duncan Hames voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Has never voted on a publicly owned railway system Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted for reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2013.
• Voted for smoking bans Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015.
• Consistently voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted against.

Last updated: 25 April 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Duncan Hames voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for academy schools Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Almost always voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs consistently voted for.
• Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 12 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 6 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

How Duncan Hames voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for.
• Voted a mixture of for and against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 4 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014. Comparable Liberal Democrat MPs almost always voted for.

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

More on their full voting record on Public Whip