House of Commons Background Paper: Divisions in the House of Commons - Commons Library Standard Note

Published 02 August 2013 | Standard notes SN06401

Authors: Mark Sandford

Topic: Parliament, Parliamentary procedure

A vote in the House of Commons is known as a ‘division’. Members vote by walking through either an Aye (yes) or a No lobby. Their names are recorded as they file past the clerks and are then counted by the Tellers. Electronic voting has been considered in the past but not trialled or introduced.

Provisions exist for what must happen if a vote is tied, for the quorum required for a vote, how pecuniary interests must be handled, and how Members may record an abstention. There have also been systems of ‘pairing’, organised between political parties, to allow Government party Members ‘time off’ from voting in exchange for a Member from the Opposition also being absent.

This Standard Note describes the current practice and historical development of divisions.

Stay up to date

Subscribe to email alerts for:

Related information

House of Commons Library

The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.

If you have any comments on briefings from the Commons Library, please contact papers@parliament.uk.

Please note, authors are not available to discuss the contents of papers with members of the general public. 

TwitterFollow House of Commons Library on Twitter

House of Lords Library

The House of Lords Library delivers research and information services to Members and staff of the House in support of parliamentary business.

Email holresearchservices@parliament.uk with comments on Lords Library Notes.

Please note that authors are not available to discuss the contents of Library Notes with members of the general public.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

POST produces independent, balanced and accessible briefings on public policy issues related to science and technology. You can leave feedback at www.surveymonkey.com/postnote