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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David Simpson’s voting in Parliament

David Simpson was previously a Dup MP, and on the vast majority of issues would have followed instructions from their party and voted the same way as Dup 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.

David Simpson sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• Generally voted against academy schools Show votes 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.

How David Simpson voted on Constitutional Reform #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against a lower voting age Show votes 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2005 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for more powers for government ministers Show votes 32 votes for, 8 votes against, 4 absences, between 2006 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 7 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Generally voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Almost always voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 9 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 2012 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes 4 votes for, 7 votes against, 13 absences, between 2010 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 2 votes for, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 5 votes for, 9 votes against, 9 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 2 votes for, 7 votes against, 31 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes 2 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2017 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Taxation and Employment #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010 and 2011. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2008 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 4 votes for, 9 votes against, 16 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Consistently voted for increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 2 votes for, between 2012 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.
• Consistently voted for a banker’s bonus tax Show votes 1 vote for, between 2011 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 5 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes 5 votes for, 5 absences, between 2008 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes 7 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes 3 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Generally voted against increasing capital gains tax Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Social Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 2006 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against equal gay rights Show votes 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2007 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
• Consistently voted against allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 6 votes against, between 2013 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, 6 absences, between 2009 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for supporting marriage and civil partnerships Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.

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

How David Simpson voted on Environmental Issues #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Voted a mixture of for and against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 3 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 agreement, 11 absences, between 2007 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 6 absences, between 2013 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes 6 votes against, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Consistently voted against improving environmental water quality Show votes 1 vote against, in 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes 5 votes for, 1 absence, between 2005 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws Show votes 1 vote for, between 2005 and 2010. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2009 and 2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 5 votes against, in 2010. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 3 votes for, 28 votes against, 27 absences, between 2010 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, between 2013 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 2 votes for, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 1 vote against, 2 absences, in 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against openness and transparency. Show votes 6 votes for, 13 votes against, 19 absences, between 2007 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Consistently voted for more anti-terrorism laws Show votes 2 votes for, in 2018. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.

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

How David Simpson voted on Business and the Economy #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 2 votes for, 12 votes against, 12 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 4 votes for, 3 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 8 absences, between 2010 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 2 votes for, 6 absences, between 2013 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted against measures to allow free trade Show votes 6 votes for, 13 votes against, 3 absences, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Transport #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010 and 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for a publicly owned railway system Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, between 2014 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for adding a third runway at Heathrow Airport Show votes 1 vote for, between 2008 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.

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

How David Simpson voted on Housing #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted for charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 1 vote for, 4 absences, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs voted a mixture of for and against.
• Generally voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 1 vote for, 4 absences, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.

Last updated: 3 Mai 2016. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How David Simpson voted on Education #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted against university tuition fees Show votes 2 votes against, between 2010 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 10 absences, between 2006 and 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote against, in 2010. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted against academy schools Show votes 1 vote against, 6 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.

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

How David Simpson voted on Health #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Consistently voted for smoking bans Show votes 4 votes for, 1 absence, between 2006 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 1 vote for, 2 absences, between 2011 and 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted against.
• Generally voted for restricting the sale and advertising of tobacco and other nicotine products Show votes 4 votes for, 2 absences, between 2014 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted against fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes 9 votes against, 1 absence, between 2007 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Home Affairs #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against introducing ID cards Show votes 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2005 and 2006. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2008 and 2009. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 2 votes for, 2 absences, between 2005 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 5 votes for, 1 absence, between 2009 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for stronger laws and enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 7 votes for, 1 absence, between 2015 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 3 votes for, in 2016. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.
• Generally voted for making it easier to remove someone's British citizenship Show votes 1 vote for, 1 absence, in 2014. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.

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

How David Simpson 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 3 votes for, between 2007 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 3 votes for, 4 absences, between 2008 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Almost always voted against more EU integration Show votes 5 votes for, 47 votes against, 16 absences, between 2006 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
• Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 3 votes for, 2 absences, between 2010 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted for.
• Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 1 vote for, between 2010 and 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 3 votes for, between 2014 and 2015. Comparable DUP MPs consistently voted for.
• Almost always voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes 1 vote for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable DUP MPs almost always voted against.
• Almost always voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 2 votes for, 13 votes against, 1 absence, between 2016 and 2019. Comparable DUP 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 DUP MPs consistently voted against.

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

How David Simpson voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #

For votes held while they were in office:

• Generally voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 3 votes for, 14 votes against, 13 absences, between 2010 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011 and 2018. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.
• Generally voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 7 votes for, 6 absences, between 2011 and 2016. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Generally voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 2 votes for, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable DUP MPs generally 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, in 2012. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes 3 votes for, between 2011 and 2017. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted for.
• Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes 2 votes against, in 2011. Comparable DUP MPs generally voted against.

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