MP Clare Short defends low voting record in the Commons

Nov 27 2009 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail

MP Clare Short has revealed that she rarely votes in the House of Commons – because she doesn’t believe it will make any difference.

The MP for Ladywood was speaking after official figures showed she took part in fewer than one in eight Commons votes in the past 12 months.

Statistics published by the House of Commons reveal that West Midland MPs take part in an average 68 per cent of Commons votes. But Ms Short votes in only 12 per cent.

The MP quit the Labour group in the Commons in 2004, after the party threatened to discipline her for suggesting Britain needed a hung Parliament. However, she is still a member of the Labour Party and sits as an “independent Labour” MP.

She said the result of most Commons votes was decided in advance, because MPs voted on party lines.

“Most MPs automatically vote for the Government or against the Government, depending on which party they are in.

“I am often in the building when a vote takes place. But everyone knows the Government is going to win the day, whether I take part or not.

“I will vote on an issue where it is a matter of principle, or where my independent vote might make a difference.”

As an independent, Ms Short’s vote could be crucial on rare occasions when Labour backbenchers rebel against the Government, or when the Commons has a free vote and party leaderships do not tell MPs what to do.

The statistics cover the period between December 3, 2008 and November 12, 2009, when 248 votes took place. These would typically be on whether to accept Government proposals for new laws, or on amendments to the proposals.

The Birmingham MP most likely to vote is Sion Simon (Lab Erdington), who attended 83 per cent of votes.

Khalid Mahmood (Lab Perry Barr), who has been receiving regular hospital treatment in Birmingham for kidney failure, attended 22 per cent of votes.