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.

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How David Heath voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011.
• 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 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012.
• Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013.
• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011.
• Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 15 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, 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 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014.
• 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.

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

How David Heath voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
• Almost always voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 49 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2014.
• Consistently voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013.
• Almost always voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014.
• Generally voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2013.
• Consistently voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013.
• Consistently voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011.
• Consistently voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2014.
• Consistently voted against Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, between 2001–2005.
• Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 4 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2004–2013.
• Consistently voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.

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

How David Heath voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes 5 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2008–2013.
• Voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012.
• Voted a mixture of for and against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013.
• Consistently voted against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2015.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014.
• Consistently voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2013.

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

How David Heath voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Almost always voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2012.
• Consistently voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2013.
• Consistently voted for lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2013.
• Consistently voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 17 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2015.
• Generally voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011.
• 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 an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013.
• Consistently voted for increasing capital gains tax Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
• Has never voted in a major vote about automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
• Consistently voted for higher taxes on banks Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2015.
• Almost always voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2014.
• 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.

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

How David Heath voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2012.
• Has never voted in a major vote about a transparent Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2007.
• 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.
• Consistently voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010.
• Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2015.
• Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 7 absences, in 2014.
• Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes 5 votes for, 9 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015.
• Generally voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013–2014.
• Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 1 vote for, 11 votes against, between 2011–2015.
• Almost always voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2013.
• 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. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 1999–2012.
• Consistently voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011.
• Has never voted on a lower voting age Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2005.

Last updated: 3 Rhagfyr 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Heath voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against smoking bans Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015.
• Has never voted on fewer obstacles for access to abortion Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2007.
• Consistently voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2011.
• Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 1997.
• 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.
• Generally voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2003.
• 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.

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

How David Heath voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against introducing ID cards Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 6 absences, between 2004–2006.
• Generally voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2009–2014.
• Consistently voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
• Consistently voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011.
• Consistently voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2008–2009.
• Almost always voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes 1 vote for, 11 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2005.

Last updated: 17 Ionawr 2024. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Heath voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
• 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 lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2013.

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

How David Heath 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.
• Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 15 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2014.
• Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 6 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014.

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

How David Heath voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2004–2010.
• Consistently voted for academy schools Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011.
• Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
• Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 11 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 1998–2011.

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

How David Heath voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Has never voted in a major vote about the hunting ban Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2002–2004.
• Generally voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 5 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2009–2014.
• Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2014.
• Almost always voted for equal gay rights Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 1998–2014.
• Voted a mixture of for and against smoking bans Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010–2015.
• Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 1997.

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

How David Heath voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2011.
• 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 2003–2014.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 17 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2008–2014.
• Consistently voted against the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2003.
• 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.
• Consistently voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2007.
• Has never voted on military action against ISIL (Daesh) Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2014.
• Consistently voted for investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2003.

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

More on their full voting record on Public Whip