Closure motion
12
Ayes
—
50
Noes
Defeated
583 did not vote
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
62 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 583 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped No
0
44
318
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
3
0
113
Liberal Democrats
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped No
0
7
35
Independent
1
1
11
Scottish National PartyWhipped Aye
9
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
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
0
0
1
Your Party
0
0
1
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