Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Opposition Reasoned Amendment
165
Ayes
—
327
Noes
Defeated · Government won
156 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
I notice some inconsistencies in the data provided. The division is dated 2025-11-18, but related divisions include one dated 2026-01-21, which would be in the future relative to the vote. Additionally, the bill referenced appears to be a new bill introduced under the current Labour government, distinct from the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 passed under the previous Conservative government. I will work with the data as given, noting where the 2023 Act provides relevant legislative history. --- **What happened:** On 18 November 2025, MPs voted on a reasoned amendment (a formal motion to reject a bill at its first major debate, known as Second Reading) tabled by opposition parties to block the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill from proceeding through Parliament. The amendment was defeated by 327 votes to 165, allowing the bill to advance to its next stage. The result means the government's legislation on addressing legacy issues from the Northern Ireland Troubles will continue its passage through the Commons. **Why it matters:** The vote allows the government to press ahead with its approach to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that caused thousands of deaths and injuries. Legacy legislation directly affects victims, survivors and their families who are seeking truth and accountability for what happened to their loved ones. The outcome of this bill will shape what legal avenues remain open to those seeking answers, and how the state and former paramilitaries are held to account for historical acts. **The politics:** The vote split almost entirely along government-versus-opposition lines. All 313 Labour and Labour Co-operative MPs who voted backed the government by voting no, while Conservatives (90), Liberal Democrats (60) and Reform UK (7) all voted aye to block the bill. The Democratic Unionist Party also voted with the opposition. Notably, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, which represents nationalist communities in Northern Ireland most directly affected by the Troubles, voted no alongside the government, as did Plaid Cymru. The vote follows a long and contested legislative history on this subject, including the 2023 Act passed under the previous Conservative government which itself proved deeply controversial and was subsequently subject to a remedial order voted on in January 2026.
Voting Aye meant
Support blocking the bill at Second Reading, expressing concern that it fails to adequately address all Troubles victims — notably those affected by the Omagh bombing — and that its approach to legacy is flawed
Voting No meant
Support allowing the bill to proceed to further parliamentary scrutiny, backing the government's new approach to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland
492 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 156 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped No
0
281
81
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
90
0
26
Liberal DemocratsWhipped Aye
60
0
12
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped No
0
32
10
Independent
3
5
5
Scottish National Party
0
0
9
Reform UKWhipped Aye
7
0
1
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
5
0
—
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped No
0
3
1
Plaid Cymru
0
2
2
Social Democratic and Labour Party
0
2
—
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
1
0
—
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
—
Your Party
0
1
—
As Secretary of State, moved Second Reading. Defended the Bill as necessary replacement for the failed 2023 legacy Act; emphasised enhanced protections for veterans including protection from repeat investigations, remote evidence-giving, and anonymity; argued the Bill enables Irish Government co-operation and restores rule of law while offering no immunity.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (5,038 words) →
Moved reasoned amendment to reject Second Reading. Argued the Bill removes workable conditional immunity scheme, exposes veterans to vexatious prosecutions while paramilitaries escape justice, provides only illusory protections, and risks recruitment and morale; contended the 2023 Act was legally sound and should have been appealed rather than dropped.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (3,922 words) →
Welcomed intent to repeal the failed 2023 Act but argued the Bill does not go far enough on veteran protections; called for binding statutory safeguards including clearer presumption against repeated investigations, expanded duty on operational context, and enhanced parliamentary oversight before supporting Second Reading.Liberal Democrat · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,974 words) →
As veteran and backbencher, supported the Bill; rejected immunity as dangerous and weakening justice; defended the legislation's veteran protections as meaningful; argued previous focus on armed forces rather than paramilitaries was disproportionate but this Bill corrects that balance.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (1,096 words) →
Strongly opposed the Bill as persecution of patriotic soldiers; argued the process itself is punishment; attacked government for double standard—de facto amnesty given to 650 IRA terrorists under Blair, while 300,000 soldiers now face relentless legal pursuit; called for honouring armed forces rather than pursuing them.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,060 words) →
Raised concern that the Bill's date range excludes the Omagh bombing (August 1998), the largest atrocity of the Troubles; pressed Secretary of State on whether dates should be extended and whether Omagh families will have recourse.Democratic Unionist Party · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,327 words) →
Chair of Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; welcomed the Bill's intent but highlighted that stakeholders felt 'listened to, not heard'; emphasised need for confidence-building; noted resourcing concerns for the new commission given expanded responsibilities including coronial cases.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (1,078 words) →
Raised concerns about Irish Government and Gardaí collusion in historical killings; pressed for assurance that justice will be delivered through the Bill; questioned whether Irish co-operation will be meaningful.Democratic Unionist Party · Voted aye · Read full speech (253 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0