Division of the assembly

Free votes in the House of Commons since 1979

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Westminster system, Legislatures, Political systems, Government, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Division of the assembly, Conscience vote

A list of known free (not whipped) votes in the House of Commons since 1979.

Key Points: 
  • A list of known free (not whipped) votes in the House of Commons since 1979.
  • There is no definitive list of free votes, and they are often held without any formal announcement.
  • [HC Deb 15 Jan 2013 c685W]

    This list attempts to identify divisions in the House of Commons where all the main parties have allowed their MPs a free vote.

  • Free votes reported in this note have been identified from ministerial comments or were reported as such in the media.

Speaker outlines new division system

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Government, Legislatures, Westminster system, British MPs, Division of the assembly, Parliamentary procedure, Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker

Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.

Key Points: 
  • Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle outlined how this new system will work in a letter to MPs.
  • Overview of the revised division process:
    When a division is called, the Speaker will appoint Tellers as usual and they will take their position at the end of each division lobby behind the Speakers Chair.
  • Division records will be published on the Commons Votes app and website, but there will be a delay of at least one hour in the publication of the results.

Speaker outlines new division system

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Government, Legislatures, Westminster system, British MPs, Division of the assembly, Parliamentary procedure, Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker

Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.

Key Points: 
  • Under the Speakers authority, a new division system involving the use of pass-readers has been introduced and will be used from today.
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle outlined how this new system will work in a letter to MPs.
  • Overview of the revised division process:
    When a division is called, the Speaker will appoint Tellers as usual and they will take their position at the end of each division lobby behind the Speakers Chair.
  • Division records will be published on the Commons Votes app and website, but there will be a delay of at least one hour in the publication of the results.

Speaker backs plan for more MPs to register for proxy vote

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Westminster system, Government, Legislatures, Political systems, Speaker of the House of Commons, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Speaker, Division of the assembly, Proxy, House of Commons of Canada, Proxy voting

MPs who cannot vote in the House of Commons in person are now able to register themselves to vote by proxy, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.

Key Points: 
  • MPs who cannot vote in the House of Commons in person are now able to register themselves to vote by proxy, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.
  • In a letter to MPs, he explained that they should write to, or email him, once agreement has been reached with another Member who is eligible to vote in divisions - that they will be a proxy and cast votes as and when instructed.
  • Once a certificate has been issued, the proxy arrangement will start when the Speaker takes the Chair on the following sitting day.
  • It is hoped the new scheme will begin on Monday, 15 June.

Speaker backs plan for more MPs to register for proxy vote

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Westminster system, Government, Legislatures, Political systems, Speaker of the House of Commons, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Speaker, Division of the assembly, Proxy, House of Commons of Canada, Proxy voting

MPs who cannot vote in the House of Commons in person are now able to register themselves to vote by proxy, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.

Key Points: 
  • MPs who cannot vote in the House of Commons in person are now able to register themselves to vote by proxy, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.
  • In a letter to MPs, he explained that they should write to, or email him, once agreement has been reached with another Member who is eligible to vote in divisions - that they will be a proxy and cast votes as and when instructed.
  • Once a certificate has been issued, the proxy arrangement will start when the Speaker takes the Chair on the following sitting day.
  • It is hoped the new scheme will begin on Monday, 15 June.

New Commons procedures under Coronavirus restrictions

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Software, Operating systems, Westminster system, Government of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Division of the assembly, Motion, Instagram

On Thursday 4 June the House approved motions allowing limited continued virtual participation in House of Commons business.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday 4 June the House approved motions allowing limited continued virtual participation in House of Commons business.
  • The motion allowing hybrid proceedings to take place lapsed on 20 May, meaning that remote voting is no longer possible.
  • Public Health England has indicated that voting using the division lobbies was not acceptable under social distancing restrictions.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

New Commons procedures under Coronavirus restrictions

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Software, Operating systems, Westminster system, Government of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Division of the assembly, Motion, Instagram

On Thursday 4 June the House approved motions allowing limited continued virtual participation in House of Commons business.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday 4 June the House approved motions allowing limited continued virtual participation in House of Commons business.
  • The motion allowing hybrid proceedings to take place lapsed on 20 May, meaning that remote voting is no longer possible.
  • Public Health England has indicated that voting using the division lobbies was not acceptable under social distancing restrictions.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

Speaker outlines new voting measures

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Westminster system, Parliamentary procedure, Political systems, Motion, Division of the assembly, Speaker of the House of Commons, Government, Political philosophy

Government motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic The Government tabled its motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic this morning.

Key Points: 
  • Government motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic The Government tabled its motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic this morning.
  • I believe it will be helpful for the House to come to separate decisions on virtual participation and then on the future method of voting.
  • Voting on the motion In advance of the final decision by the House on its future voting method, I have had to devise a voting system for the Government motion and amendments to it.
  • I attach a link to the guidance/ ( PDF 122 KB) for Members which explains how voting will work tomorrow: I urge all colleagues who will be present tomorrow to read the guidance before the first vote.
  • I also ask Members to be patient during this process, and in particular to observe the requirements of social distancing.
  • The resolution of 21 April only set out a framework of general principles which underpinned specific orders of the House.
  • 38 (Procedure on divisions): (a) If the opinion of the Speaker or the chair as to the decision on a question is challenged, the Speaker or the chair shall declare that a division shall be held.
  • (4) The Speaker or chair may limit the number of Members present in the Chamber at any one time and Standing Orders Nos.
  • 7 (Seats not to be taken before prayers) and 8 (Seats secured at prayers) shall not apply.

Voting procedures in the House of Commons

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Westminster system, Legislatures, Government, Political systems, Parliamentary procedure, Government of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Lindsay Hoyle, Division of the assembly, Speaker of the House of Commons, Hoyle, Speaker

At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.

Key Points: 
  • At present, there is no method for physical divisions sanctioned by the House, other than the tradition method via the voting lobbies.
  • Public Health England has indicated that voting using the lobbies is not acceptable under social distancing restrictions.
  • Statement from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
    Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
    "While we will return to fully physical proceedings in the House tomorrow they will not be the same as before.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

Speaker outlines new voting measures

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Westminster system, Parliamentary procedure, Political systems, Motion, Division of the assembly, Speaker of the House of Commons, Government, Political philosophy

Government motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic The Government tabled its motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic this morning.

Key Points: 
  • Government motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic The Government tabled its motion on Proceedings during the Pandemic this morning.
  • I believe it will be helpful for the House to come to separate decisions on virtual participation and then on the future method of voting.
  • Voting on the motion In advance of the final decision by the House on its future voting method, I have had to devise a voting system for the Government motion and amendments to it.
  • I attach a link to the guidance/ ( PDF 122 KB) for Members which explains how voting will work tomorrow: I urge all colleagues who will be present tomorrow to read the guidance before the first vote.
  • I also ask Members to be patient during this process, and in particular to observe the requirements of social distancing.
  • The resolution of 21 April only set out a framework of general principles which underpinned specific orders of the House.
  • 38 (Procedure on divisions): (a) If the opinion of the Speaker or the chair as to the decision on a question is challenged, the Speaker or the chair shall declare that a division shall be held.
  • (4) The Speaker or chair may limit the number of Members present in the Chamber at any one time and Standing Orders Nos.
  • 7 (Seats not to be taken before prayers) and 8 (Seats secured at prayers) shall not apply.