A parliamentary vote is a formal process for voting in the House of Commons (in the UK) and in parliaments that follow the Westminster system. It involves a series of stages including giving notice, debating, proposing and amending motions before deciding on a result. Mechanisms such as closure and time allocation are used to limit debate duration allowing for timely decisions.
MPs can be elected on a constituency basis (each voter chooses one candidate) or by party list. Most countries with a parliamentary system have the former, though some use proportional representation with electoral boundaries.
The electoral process can be complicated as parties often don’t get enough votes to govern on their own. In these cases, they can make coalition agreements with other parties to form a government and pass laws.
Do MPs vote according to their party’s wishes or based on their own beliefs for their constituents and country? MPs are expected to vote with their party but if they feel strongly about an issue that goes against their party’s line, they can go against the whip. This may upset their party machine but can also help them stand out from the crowd and gain voters’ respect.
MPs can register an abstention from a vote by walking through both the ye and no lobbies before the Presiding Officer declares the result of the division. They can also use proxies, other MPs who act on their behalf. New parents can also vote through a proxy, as they are not obliged to attend the House when expecting or looking after a newborn.