Our small team works hard to show how your MP has voted on the issues that matter to you.
Your donations help keep TheyWorkForYou running and independent. If it's useful to you, please help keep it going.
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 read more about our process , the kinds of votes we include , how we compare MPs to parties , and why we think this is important .
Below are summaries of how Barry Sheerman has voted on key issues, grouped by policy area (randomly ordered).
Barry Sheerman’s voting in Parliament
Barry Sheerman was previously a Labour MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Labour 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.
Barry Sheerman sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Generally voted for approving reports and recommendations made by the Standards Committee Show votes
2 votes for, 2 agreements, 1 absence, between 2021 and 2023. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
Generally voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010 and 2020. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions .
Almost always voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
1 vote for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2020. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
15 votes for, 5 votes against, 25 absences, between 2011 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote for (alignment score: 67%).
Voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 50%) a lower voting age Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2004 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Almost always voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties , such as charities, during elections Show votes
10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
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 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes
14 votes for, 5 votes against, 6 absences, 1 abstention, between 2010 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
9 votes for, 2 votes against, 14 absences, between 2011 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
2 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Last voted on between 2005 and 2009
Last updated: 12 Tachwedd 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Environmental Issues #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Generally voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes
2 votes for, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 50%) measures to encourage purchase and use of electric vehicles Show votes
1 vote against, 1 agreement, 1 absence, between 2021 and 2023. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote for (alignment score: 63%).
Generally voted against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes
5 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2023. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes
4 votes for, 2 absences, between 2012 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Consistently voted for improving air quality Show votes
5 votes for, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
Consistently voted for improving biodiversity Show votes
7 votes for, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted for.
Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Almost always voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes
22 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 agreement, 7 absences, between 2000 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Last updated: 11 Chwefror 2026.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Home Affairs #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Consistently voted against making it easier to remove those trespassing on land with an intent to reside there Show votes
4 votes against, in 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Generally voted against stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes
2 votes for, 14 votes against, 10 absences, between 2015 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Generally voted against a stricter asylum system Show votes
7 votes for, 20 votes against, 11 absences, between 2002 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote against (alignment score: 33%).
Generally voted against authorising criminal conduct by undercover officers and covert sources Show votes
2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Consistently voted against making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes
6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Generally voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes
1 vote for, 3 absences, between 2016 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Last voted on between 2010 and 2014
Last voted on between 2005 and 2009
Last updated: 28 Ebrill 2026.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Tended to vote for (alignment score: 64%) a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes
7 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2016 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
9 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes
47 votes for, 11 votes against, 17 absences, 1 abstention, between 2006 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes
3 votes for, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 50%) a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2008 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 57%).
Voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 50%) use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
3 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote for (alignment score: 63%).
Tended to vote for (alignment score: 67%) UK membership of the EU Show votes
6 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Consistently voted against military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
3 votes against, between 2014 and 2015. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 49%).
Consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes
2 votes against, between 2003 and 2016. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Generally voted for a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes
2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2017 and 2019. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Last voted on between 2000 and 2004
Last updated: 18 Mai 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Business and the Economy #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Generally voted for requiring imported goods to meet domestic standards Show votes
3 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2020 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted against new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2013 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
3 votes for, 18 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Tended to vote against (alignment score: 31%) measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
2 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, 1 abstention, between 2013 and 2020. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Generally voted against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
2 votes for, 8 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote against (alignment score: 34%).
Last updated: 8 Rhagfyr 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Last voted on between 2010 and 2014
Consistently voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes
6 votes against, between 2011 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted against.
Consistently voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
3 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Consistently voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
2 votes against, between 2009 and 2011. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Tended to vote against (alignment score: 38%) greater regulation of gambling Show votes
3 votes for, 5 votes against, 2 absences, between 2004 and 2014. Comparable Labour MPs voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 45%).
Generally voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes
6 votes for, 4 absences, between 2001 and 2010. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for.
Last updated: 26 Ebrill 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Barry Sheerman voted on Taxation and Employment #
Last voted on between 2020 and 2024
Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
2 votes against, 7 absences, between 2008 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Almost always voted against more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes
14 votes against, 4 absences, between 2008 and 2023. Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted against.
Generally voted for increasing income tax (in real terms) Show votes
21 votes for, 4 votes against, 8 absences, between 2011 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2021. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Almost always voted for increasing capital gains tax Show votes
5 votes for, 2 absences, between 2010 and 2024. Comparable Labour MPs generally voted for.
Voted a mixture of for and against (alignment score: 50%) higher taxes on banks Show votes
5 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2011 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs tended to vote for (alignment score: 61%).
Consistently voted against higher taxes specifically to fund health and social care Show votes
4 votes against, between 2021 and 2022. Comparable Labour MPs consistently voted against.
Last voted on between 2015 and 2019
Last voted on between 2010 and 2014
Last updated: 2 Rhagfyr 2025.
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
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
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
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.
Nodyn ar gyfer newyddiadurwyr ac ymchwilwyr: gellir defnyddio'r data ar y dudalen hon yn rhydd, ar yr amod bod TheyWorkForYou.com yn cael ei ddyfynnu fel y ffynhonnell.
Cynhyrchwyd y data yma gan TheyWorkForYou o amrywiaeth o ffynonellau.
Am esboniad o ddisgrifiadau'r bleidlais, gweler ein tudalen am gwybodaeth bleidleisio ar TheyWorkForYou .
Llun proffil: © Parliament (CC-BY 3.0)
