Voting summaries

For period: All time

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.

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Rishi Sunak’s voting in Parliament

Rishi Sunak is a Conservative MP, and on the vast majority of issues follow instructions from their party and vote the same way as other Conservative MPs.

Where MPs differ is either because they have made a decision not to follow the party whip (rebelling), or where they have differed from the majority of their colleagues in a free vote.

Rishi Sunak sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• Generally voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.

In the last year, Rishi Sunak has an alignment score of 73% with other MPs of their party (over 227 votes). Find out more.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 11 votes against, 1 agreement, 10 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 1 vote against, in 2018. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote against, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes 1 vote for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2023. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against improving biodiversity Show votes 4 votes against, 3 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against improving air quality Show votes 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 1 vote for, between 2015 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against improving environmental water quality Show votes 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2021 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 15 May 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.

Last updated: 29 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 17 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, 12 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 1 vote for, 3 absences, between 2016 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 1 vote for, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for authorising criminal conduct by undercover officers and covert sources Show votes 2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against protecting and supporting victims of crime Show votes 12 votes against, 6 absences, between 2020 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for restricting the right to protest Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 10 absences, between 2019 and 2023. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for making it easier to remove those trespassing on land with an intent to reside there Show votes 4 votes for, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 2 votes for, 3 absences, between 2021 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.

Last updated: 22 May 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Housing #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 5 votes for, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 5 votes for, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against stronger fire safety measures Show votes 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2020 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against landlords paying for the costs of building safety works Show votes 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2021 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

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

How Rishi Sunak voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against a publicly owned railway system Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for adding a third runway at Heathrow Airport Show votes 1 vote for, in 2018. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.

Last updated: 29 July 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 12 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, in 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against means-testing/removing universality on winter fuel payments for pensioners Show votes 1 vote against, in 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 10 September 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for academy schools Show votes 1 vote for, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.

Last updated: 25 May 2016. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for public health measures and social restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 Show votes 7 votes for, 15 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Generally voted for higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes 1 vote for, 3 absences, between 2021 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for restricting the sale and advertising of tobacco and other nicotine products Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2020 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes 1 vote for, 9 absences, between 2017 and 2023. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against.

Last updated: 29 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 1 vote for, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 3 votes for, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against more EU integration Show votes 7 votes for, 39 votes against, 4 absences, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 2 votes for, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 7 votes against, 7 absences, between 2020 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 2 votes for, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 1 vote for, 14 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes 4 votes against, between 2017 and 2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against fulfilling international treaty obligations Show votes 5 votes against, 9 absences, between 2018 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.

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

How Rishi Sunak voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 9 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2015 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 4 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2016 and 2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 2 votes for, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2016 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against measures to allow free trade Show votes 8 votes for, 14 votes against, 3 absences, between 2016 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against requiring imported goods to meet domestic standards Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against more support for the economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Show votes 1 vote for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against higher taxes on the providers of major social media, search engine and online marketplace services Show votes 2 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 6 September 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against a lower voting age Show votes 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted for more powers for government ministers Show votes 40 votes for, 6 votes against, 12 absences, between 2017 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 1 vote for, 4 absences, between 2016 and 2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 4 votes for, between 2016 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 1 vote for, in 2019. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes 2 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 2 votes for, 13 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 3 votes for, 26 votes against, 4 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2017 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for approving reports and recommendations made by the Standards Committee Details 2 agreements, 3 absences, between 2021 and 2023. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.

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

How Rishi Sunak voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 1 vote for, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Almost always voted against openness and transparency. Show votes 2 votes for, 25 votes against, 8 absences, between 2016 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for more anti-terrorism laws Show votes 2 votes for, 1 absence, between 2018 and 2020. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for the free movement of goods, and mutual recognition of qualifications, within the United Kingdom Show votes 4 votes for, 2 votes against, 8 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against putting military personnel on trial in civilian courts in serious cases Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against suspending MPs or reducing their salaries in specific cases Show votes 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2018 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 14 June 2022. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Rishi Sunak voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 11 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2015 and 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 3 votes for, 1 absence, between 2017 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes 12 votes for, 6 absences, between 2015 and 2023. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes 7 votes against, 4 absences, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes 6 votes for, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay the higher rate of income tax Show votes 4 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes 1 vote for, 3 absences, between 2021 and 2022. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against increasing capital gains tax Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2016 and 2024. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against.

Last updated: 6 November 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.