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.
Voting records for MPs who change parties / have whip withdrawn
This MP has either become an independent MP, changed parties, or had the party whip withdrawn over the course of their time in Parliament.
In the votes below they are compared to their original party (Labour).
How Chris Williamson voted on Health #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015.
-
Generally voted against reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2019.
-
Voted against reducing the maximum amount an individual may be required to contribute to their social care costs Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2013.
-
Generally voted for restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011.
-
Voted for fewer obstacles for access to abortion Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2019.
Last updated: 7 Mawrth 2023.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019.
-
Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes
0 votes for, 11 votes against, between 2013–2014.
-
Generally voted for more powers for local councils Show votes
12 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2010–2015.
-
Generally voted against fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011.
-
Has never voted in a major vote about a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes
0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
-
Generally voted for more powers for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland Show votes
4 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2017–2018.
-
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes
6 votes for, 2 votes against, 9 absences, between 2014–2018.
-
Consistently voted against local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2019.
-
Voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012.
-
Consistently voted against an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes
0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2010–2013.
-
Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2013.
Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
-
Generally voted for transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes
8 votes for, 4 votes against, 9 absences, between 2011–2018.
-
Voted for a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012.
Last updated: 16 Ionawr 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Taxation and Employment #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Almost always voted against raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes
0 votes for, 18 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2018.
-
Consistently voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Almost always voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, between 2011–2013.
-
Consistently voted against higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012.
-
Almost always voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2013.
-
Voted a mixture of for and against higher taxes on banks Show votes
4 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2017.
-
Consistently voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2011.
-
Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014.
Last updated: 12 Mawrth 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Environmental Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Voted a mixture of for and against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes
1 vote for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2012–2018.
-
Almost always voted against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes
1 vote for, 6 votes against, between 2011–2013.
-
Generally voted for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2015.
-
Generally voted for measures to prevent climate change Show votes
4 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 agreement for, 1 absence, between 2012–2013.
-
Consistently voted for the preservation of environmental protections after withdrawal from the EU Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019.
-
Generally voted against higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2014.
-
Voted for improving environmental water quality Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2012.
-
Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2019.
Last updated: 20 Chwefror 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Social Issues #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted for equal gay rights Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2019.
-
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015.
-
Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2019.
-
Almost always voted for laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes
6 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019.
Last updated: 1 Mawrth 2024.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Welfare, Benefits and Pensions #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes
6 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012.
-
Almost always voted against a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
0 votes for, 16 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2014.
-
Consistently voted against increasing the state pension age Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2011.
-
Consistently voted for increasing the state pension age for women more slowly Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011.
-
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, 4 votes against, in 2012.
-
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.
-
Consistently voted for raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2013.
Last updated: 18 Mai 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Miscellaneous Topics #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted against capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2010.
-
Generally voted against allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes
0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013.
-
Almost always voted against restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes
1 vote for, 8 votes against, between 2011–2014.
-
Consistently voted for requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
-
Consistently voted for greater regulation of gambling Show votes
4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2013.
-
Consistently voted against a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes
0 votes for, 3 votes against, in 2013.
-
Consistently voted for restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
-
Almost always voted against the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes
3 votes for, 44 votes against, 12 absences, between 2012–2014.
-
Consistently voted against the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2011.
-
Consistently voted against limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2012–2013.
Last updated: 26 Ebrill 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes
27 votes for, 1 vote against, 21 absences, between 2011–2019.
-
Consistently voted for strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2011.
-
Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2014.
-
Consistently voted for UK membership of the EU Show votes
5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019.
-
Almost always voted for a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes
6 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2017–2019.
-
Voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes
1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2014.
-
Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014.
-
Generally voted against a second referendum on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, in 2019.
Last updated: 18 Mai 2022.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Business and the Economy #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, between 2013–2018.
-
Generally voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes
2 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2019.
-
Voted a mixture of for and against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes
5 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2011–2014.
-
Almost always voted against reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes
0 votes for, 14 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2015.
Last updated: 8 Rhagfyr 2021.
Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.
How Chris Williamson voted on Education #
For votes held while they were in office:
-
Consistently voted against academy schools Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2010–2011.
-
Voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes
0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010.
-
Consistently voted against greater autonomy for schools Show votes
0 votes for, 9 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2011.
-
Consistently voted against university tuition fees Show votes
0 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2010.
Last updated: 21 Chwefror 2022.
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)