Closure motion
12Ayes
50Noes
Defeated · majority 38583 did not vote
645 Members · Aye 12 · No 50 · DNV 583 · grey dots in centre are abstentions
Analysis
Commons
Commons
Parliament voted on a closure motion on 25 April 2025, a procedural device that, if passed, would have immediately ended debate and forced a direct vote on the matter under discussion. The motion was defeated by a substantial margin, with 12 votes in favour and 50 against. The defeat of the closure motion meant that parliamentary debate on the underlying matter was allowed to continue rather than being cut short. Closure motions are relatively rare procedural tools, and their defeat signals that a majority of those present judged the discussion had not yet run its course. The practical effect was to preserve more time for parliamentary scrutiny of whatever policy or legislative question was being debated. The voting split along notable lines. The Scottish National Party provided the largest bloc of Aye votes, with 9 of their members supporting an end to debate, joined by 3 Conservatives, 1 Green, and 1 Independent. Labour and Labour and Co-operative members voted overwhelmingly against the closure motion, providing 51 of the 50 No votes between them, with a further Independent also voting No. The vote sits within a broader context of procedural activity in the chamber during this period, with related divisions on matters including the Data Use and Access Bill appearing in the weeks following.
Voting Aye meant
Support ending the current debate immediately and proceeding to a vote
Voting No meant
Oppose cutting off debate, preferring that discussion continue further
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
0
44
317
Conservative and Unionist Party
Whipped Aye
3
0
113
Liberal Democrats
—
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped No
0
7
35
Independent
—
1
1
11
Scottish National Party
Whipped Aye
9
0
0
Reform UK
—
0
0
7
Sinn Féin
—
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
—
0
0
5
Green Party of England and Wales
—
1
0
3
Plaid Cymru
—
0
0
4
Social Democratic and Labour Party
—
0
0
2
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
—
0
0
1
Restore Britain
—
0
0
1
Speaker
—
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
—
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
—
0
0
1
Your Party
—
0
0
1
Source · Hansard · UK Parliament Votes API · whip status from announced positions; “free vote” indicates the whip was formally removed
Supports devolution of immigration to Scotland to address distinct demographic needs, citing sectoral demands from care, tourism, and agriculture; frames as responsive to Scottish Labour's own manifesto commitments.SNP · Voted aye · Read full speech (8,655 words) →
Opposes the Bill; stresses it would devolve entire immigration system without mechanism, argues government offers alternatives such as Migration Advisory Committee reform and sector-specific visa schemes.Labour (Scottish Secretary of State) · Voted no · Read full speech (11,536 words) →
Strongly supportive; emphasises Scotland's population decline, ageing demographics, and emigration tradition; frames Bill as invitation to work together on solutions; criticises Labour for pandering to Reform on immigration.SNP · Voted aye · Read full speech (6,264 words) →
Opposed; questions practical implementation, cost, and border management; draws parallels to Isle of Wight's challenges; argues Bill lacks clarity on how separate Scottish system would integrate with UK framework.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (2,279 words) →
Challenges Gethins on SNP's record on economic growth; questions why devolution is needed when Scottish Government has underperformed on existing powers.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (373 words) →
Opposed; accuses SNP of 'gaming' Brexit debate; defends Labour's pragmatic approach to EU relations; questions focus on devolution over addressing root workforce problems.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (1,400 words) →
Neutral-questioning; acknowledges value of youth mobility and practical steps on EU relations but distances Labour from SNP independence rhetoric; defends capped youth scheme.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (271 words) →
Supportive; represents island constituency; emphasises one-size-fits-all approach fails rural and island communities with distinct labour needs.SNP · Voted no · Read full speech →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0