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.
How Bill Esterson voted on Social Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for equal gay rights Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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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 Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
7 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 1 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted a mixture of for and against use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
2 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for UK membership of the EU Show votes
7 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes
10 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
11 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Voted a mixture of for and against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2019. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes
42 votes for, 8 votes against, 18 absences, between 2011–2020. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
1 vote for, 2 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
For votes held while they were in office:
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Has never voted in a major vote about a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2016.
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Consistently voted for a lower voting age Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Almost always voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
1 vote for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes
0 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2020. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Voted a mixture of for and against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
18 votes for, 13 votes against, 12 absences, between 2011–2024. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
1 vote for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2012–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes
17 votes for, 7 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for approving reports and recommendations made by the Standards Committee Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 agreements for, between 2021–2023. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
10 votes for, 2 votes against, 13 absences, between 2016–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted for more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes
6 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2017–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against photographic voter identification at polling stations Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2021–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 16 January 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Business and the Economy #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted for requiring imported goods to meet domestic standards Show votes
3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2020–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
3 votes for, 20 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
3 votes for, 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Almost always voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2016–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2013–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 8 December 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes
1 vote for, 10 votes against, between 2011–2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
5 votes for, 37 votes against, 17 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against the free movement of goods, and mutual recognition of qualifications, within the United Kingdom Show votes
3 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2020–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Last updated: 26 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Housing #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for landlords paying for the costs of building safety works Show votes
9 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Consistently voted for more proscriptive planning laws Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2020–2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for stronger fire safety measures Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2020–2022. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted against phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
Last updated: 20 April 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Health #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes
10 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2017–2023. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Consistently voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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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 Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted against higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted for public health measures and social restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 Show votes
9 votes for, 1 vote against, 12 absences, between 2020–2021. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
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Consistently voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes
3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2013–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 7 March 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Home Affairs #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2014–2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against authorising criminal conduct by undercover officers and covert sources Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2020–2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted against stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes
2 votes for, 21 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016–2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against making it easier to remove those trespassing on land with an intent to reside there Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes
0 votes for, 22 votes against, 3 absences, between 2015–2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 25 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Transport #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Voted for adding a third runway at Heathrow Airport Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2018. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
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Has never voted in a major vote about a publicly owned railway system Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2016.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 21 September 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Taxation and Employment #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Generally voted against reducing capital gains tax Show votes
1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Consistently voted against higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes
4 votes for, 23 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
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Generally voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes
7 votes for, 4 votes against, 6 absences, between 2015–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2017. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted against more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes
0 votes for, 16 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2023. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Last updated: 12 March 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Almost always voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted against making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Generally voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes
11 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
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Almost always voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
0 votes for, 26 votes against, 7 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Last updated: 18 May 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Bill Esterson voted on Environmental Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
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Consistently voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Consistently voted for improving biodiversity Show votes
7 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2013–2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
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Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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Almost always voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes
25 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 agreement for, 1 absence, between 2012–2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
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Generally voted for the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes
5 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2017–2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Consistently voted for improving air quality Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes
2 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2012–2018. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
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Generally voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last updated: 20 February 2024.
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.
Profile photo: © Parliament (CC-BY 3.0)