A divisionDivision No. 3 · Tuesday, 23 July 2024· Commons· Constitution and Democracy

King's Speech (Motion for an Address): Amendment (d)

103Ayes
363Noes
Defeated · majority 260 · Government won
183 did not vote
Aye103No363DID NOT VOTE · 183

649 Members · Aye 103 · No 363 · DNV 183 · grey dots in centre are abstentions

Analysis
Commons

Parliament voted on 23 July 2024 on amendment (d) to the motion for an Address in reply to the King's Speech, the formal parliamentary debate on the new Labour government's legislative programme following the July 2024 general election. The amendment was defeated by 363 votes to 103. The King's Speech debate is the occasion when the government sets out the laws it intends to pass during the parliamentary session. Amendments tabled by opposition parties signal dissatisfaction with those priorities without directly blocking any legislation. Defeating this amendment meant the Labour government's stated programme passed without the qualification the amendment would have expressed, though the practical effect on day-to-day policy is limited at this stage. No Conservative MPs appear in the voting record for this division, and the 103 Ayes came almost entirely from opposition and smaller parties: 64 Liberal Democrats, 9 Scottish National Party MPs, 5 independents, 4 Plaid Cymru, 4 Greens, 4 Democratic Unionist Party members, 2 Social Democratic and Labour Party MPs, and 2 members listed under "Your Party", alongside 6 Labour MPs who voted against their own government. Labour and its Co-operative Party allies provided 359 of the 363 No votes, with 3 independents also voting No. The result reflects the scale of Labour's Commons majority following the 2024 election.

Voting Aye meant
Support amendment (d) to the King's Speech, signalling opposition to or dissatisfaction with aspects of the Labour government's stated legislative agenda
Voting No meant
Reject amendment (d), backing the Labour government's legislative programme as set out in the King's Speech
§ 01Who voted how.466 voting Members · 183 absent

Each row is one party. The stacked bar gives the within-party split of Aye / No / Absent; the columns on the right give the raw counts. The whip column shows the published party position — “Free vote” means the whip was formally removed for this division.

Party
Whip
Aye / No / Abs
Aye
No
Abs
Labour Party
Whipped No
6
320
35
Conservative and Unionist Party
0
1
115
Liberal Democrats
Whipped Aye
63
0
8
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped No
0
39
3
Independent
6
3
5
Scottish National Party
Whipped Aye
9
0
0
Reform UK
0
0
7
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
Whipped Aye
4
0
1
Green Party of England and Wales
Whipped Aye
4
0
0
Plaid Cymru
Whipped Aye
4
0
0
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2
0
0
Your Party
2
0
0
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
1
0
0
Restore Britain
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
1
0
0
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
0

Source · Hansard · UK Parliament Votes API · whip status from announced positions; “free vote” indicates the whip was formally removed

§ 02From the debate.6 principal speakers
Sir James CleverlyOpposedBraintree
Criticized Labour's cancellation of Rwanda asylum scheme, effective amnesty for illegal arrivals, and poor diplomatic handling; defended Conservative policing and migration records while accusing Labour of abandoning tough rhetoric.Conservative · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (4,153 words)
Yvette CooperSupportivePontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Outlined three-pillar Home Office strategy (crime/policing, borders/asylum, security); criticized Conservative legacy on police numbers, visa system mismanagement, and Rwanda scheme's wasteful £700m spend with minimal results.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (4,485 words)
Christine JardineSupportiveEdinburgh West
Welcomed Home Secretary's openness to cross-party working; supported scrapping Rwanda scheme and called for proper community policing, court backlog reduction, and better immigration system for economy and genuine refugees.Liberal Democrat · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,767 words)
Sir Desmond SwayneOpposedNew Forest West
Acknowledged election defeat; defended Rwanda scheme as part of deterrent strategy and criticized its abandonment; emphasized need for international development spending and returns agreements as long-term solutions.Conservative · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (1,006 words)
Debbie AbrahamsSupportiveOldham East and Saddleworth
Focused on poverty, inequality, and disabled people's rights; welcomed King's Speech measures on child poverty, social security, and living standards as remedy to 14 years of Conservative cuts.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (1,228 words)
Helen HayesSupportiveDulwich and West Norwood
Emphasized impact of Conservative cuts on schools, housing, health, and children's mental health; welcomed Labour's legislative programme for child poverty, education, and young people's wellbeing.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (1,213 words)
§ 03Related divisions.Same topic · recent
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0