Opposition day: Property taxes
98
Ayes
—
335
Noes
Defeated · Government won
217 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
**What happened:** The House of Commons voted on 3 September 2025 on an opposition day motion relating to property taxes. The motion, brought by the Conservatives, criticised the government's approach to property taxation and called for cuts to taxes such as stamp duty, capital gains tax on property, or council tax. The motion was defeated by 335 votes to 98. **Why it matters:** The vote concerned the government's broader property tax framework, which shapes the costs of buying, selling, and owning homes across England and Wales. Had the motion passed, it would have placed parliamentary pressure on the Treasury to reduce the burden of property-related taxes. While opposition day motions are non-binding, they can constrain a government politically and signal parliamentary sentiment. The defeat means the government faces no immediate legislative pressure to change course on property taxation, leaving current rates and structures in place. **The politics:** The vote divided sharply along party lines. The Conservatives provided 93 of the 98 ayes, joined by two Democratic Unionist Party members, two Reform UK members, one independent, one Liberal Democrat, and one Ulster Unionist. Labour and the Labour and Co-operative Party voted unanimously against, supplying the bulk of the 335 noes. The SNP was entirely absent. The Liberal Democrats were almost entirely absent, with only one member voting in favour. The result reflects the government's commanding Commons majority and the difficulty the Conservative opposition faces in using procedural tools to shift government policy at this stage of the parliament.
Voting Aye meant
Support reforming or introducing property taxes, as proposed by the opposition motion
Voting No meant
Oppose the opposition's proposed approach to property taxation, defending the government's existing policy
433 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 217 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped No
0
295
67
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
93
0
23
Liberal Democrats
1
0
71
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped No
0
33
9
Independent
1
3
9
Scottish National Party
0
0
9
Reform UK
2
0
6
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
2
0
3
Green Party of England and Wales
0
0
4
Plaid Cymru
0
0
4
Social Democratic and Labour Party
0
1
1
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
—
Your Party
0
0
1
Defended the Government's tax rises as necessary response to Conservative mismanagement; highlighted housing investment and policy improvements under Labour.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (542 words) →
Opposed property tax rises, specifically warning that scrapping private residence relief would impose devastating tax bills on constituents selling family homes.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (522 words) →
Opposed multiple rumoured property taxes as a destructive raid on homeowners, particularly in the south-east; flagged impact on pensioners, farmers, and mobility.Conservative · Voted teller_aye · Read full speech (969 words) →
Attacked Opposition for creating 'straw men' and refusing to outline alternative plans; defended Government's difficult but necessary tax decisions.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (640 words) →
Criticised Government's £70 billion spending increase and resulting borrowing costs; argued that uncertainty over tax rises is stalling the economy.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (964 words) →
Highlighted Conservative legacy of hidden fiscal pressures and pay settlements delayed until after election; defended Government investment in public services.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (898 words) →
Expressed concern about inheritance tax relief changes affecting working farmers in Wales; called for reversal before autumn Budget.Labour · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (593 words) →
Warned that ongoing tax speculation is collapsing business confidence and damaging the economy; urged Government to stop threatening new taxes.Conservative · Voted teller_aye · Read full speech (957 words) →
Argued that Labour loves raising taxes and that speculation about property tax rises is causing market instability and economic stagnation.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (972 words) →
Defended property taxes as essential for public services; emphasised Government's focus on building homes and fiscal responsibility versus Conservative 'fiscal fantasy'.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (2,012 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0