A parliamentary vote is a formal procedure by which members of parliament (MPs) vote on motions that are proposed by other members or groups. The votes are held in secret and the majority of those voting decides whether a motion passes or fails. Voting is based on the principle of allowing a majority to make decisions, while ensuring fairness for the minority and giving everyone the right to voice their opinion. Each parliament or assembly creates its own set of rules, but they tend to be similar.
The UK uses a system called first past the post for parliamentary elections, which means the candidate with the most votes wins. When a party is in a majority, the leader of that party selects a cabinet of ministers and departmental secretaries, led by a prime minister. Some parliamentary systems also use a ceremonial head of state, either a hereditary monarch in constitutional monarchies or an elected president or chancellor in democratic constitutional republics.
MPs can vote by physically walking down one of two corridors on either side of the main House of Commons chamber: the ‘aye’ or ‘no’ lobby. When the Speaker puts a vote to the House, MPs who wish to vote in favour move to the right of the Presiding Officer and those against to the left. Their names and numbers are recorded by the Presiding Officer.
If an MP walks through both the aye and no lobbies, this is understood to mean that they are abstaining from voting. When the votes are counted, the tellers return to the chamber and the Speaker announces the result.
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