Division · No. 91Friday, 24 January 2025Commons Constitution and Democracy

Motion to adjourn debate

120
Ayes
7
Noes
Passed · Government won
519 did not vote
Analysis
Commons

**What happened:** On 24 January 2025, the House of Commons voted to adjourn debate on a motion by 120 votes to 7. The motion to adjourn was brought forward as a procedural step, postponing further parliamentary discussion to a later date. The government supported the adjournment, and the vote passed comfortably. **Why it matters:** Procedurally, this vote determined the scheduling of further debate rather than resolving any underlying policy question. By adjourning, the House deferred continued discussion to another sitting day, meaning no immediate legislative or policy decision was reached on the matter under consideration. The practical effect was to manage parliamentary time, leaving the substantive issues for future consideration. **The politics:** The vote divided almost entirely along party management lines rather than ideological ones. Labour and Labour and Co-operative members provided all 120 votes in favour of adjournment, reflecting the government's position. The seven votes against came from four Green Party members, one Conservative, and two Independents, suggesting a preference from a small group of members to continue debate immediately rather than defer it. No Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, DUP, or Sinn Fein members voted in either direction. With the vast majority of the House absent, this was a low-turnout procedural division typical of a sitting Friday.

Voting Aye meant
Support adjourning (pausing) the debate, effectively delaying further parliamentary consideration of the matter at hand.
Voting No meant
Oppose adjourning the debate, preferring to continue proceedings without interruption.
§ 01Who voted how.127 voting members · 519 absent
Aye122No9DID NOT VOTE · 519

127 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 519 who did not vote.

Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
105
0
257
Conservative and Unionist Party
0
1
115
Liberal Democrats
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
16
0
26
Independent
1
4
9
Scottish National Party
0
0
9
Reform UK
0
0
7
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
0
0
5
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped No
0
4
Plaid Cymru
0
0
4
Social Democratic and Labour Party
0
0
2
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
0
0
1
Your Party
0
0
1
§ 02From the debate.8 principal speakers
Simon HoareSupportiveNorth Dorset
Supports the Bill's general thrust on climate and nature; calls on fellow Conservatives to heed Margaret Thatcher's warnings on environmental protection rather than populist scepticism, while pressuring the government for a generous response.Conservative · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (588 words)
Alice MacdonaldSupportiveNorwich North
Strongly supports the Bill; welcomes government measures on clean energy and nature protection, emphasises the urgency of the dual climate-nature crisis, and argues sustainable growth and environmental protection are compatible.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,566 words)
Andrew BowieOpposedWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Opposes the Bill; argues it would damage the economy, undermine parliamentary democracy by delegating power to an unelected assembly, impose unsustainable costs on households, and create energy security risks by banning domestic fossil fuels without viable alternatives.Conservative · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (3,797 words)
Carla DenyerSupportiveBristol Central
Supports the Bill and criticises the government's weak negotiating position; urges the Bill to go to a vote rather than accept vague commitments, arguing the science demands binding legislation and integrated climate-nature policy.Green · Voted no · Read full speech (1,543 words)
Dr Roz SavageSupportiveSouth Cotswolds
As the Bill's sponsor, advocates a collaborative policy approach and cross-party consensus; defends her decision to negotiate with the government rather than push to a vote, framing it as more effective than protest activism.Liberal Democrat · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (157 words)
Nadia WhittomeSupportiveNottingham East
Supports the Bill as a floor not a ceiling; emphasises winning material concessions from the government through negotiation and holding them to account, rather than risking those gains by forcing a vote.Labour · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (1,225 words)
Josh NewburySupportiveCannock Chase
Supports the Bill's principles on climate and nature; highlights government progress on renewable energy and water quality, emphasises the need for balanced farming support, and backs the government's commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,580 words)
Lizzi CollingeSupportiveMorecambe and Lunesdale
Supports the Bill and the government's climate action; argues climate change poses existential threats to rural communities and that the transition should be framed as an opportunity for better homes, jobs, and access to nature.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,842 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