adminA parliamentary vote is the outcome of a ballot in which the members of the House of Commons (MPs) show their preference by moving to one side or another, and their names are recorded. The results are then declared by the Presiding Officer. Usually votes on Private Members’ Business are conducted as free votes.
An electronic bell rung to summon the House at the beginning of a sitting, for the taking of a vote or to establish quorum in the Chamber. Also referred to as the division bell.
Term used to describe a group of MPs who belong to the same political party. The party caucus is often a focal point of debate in the House of Commons. A member may join or leave a party during a Parliament and may even stand as an independent candidate in an election.
A system of voting in which each round sees the last-placed candidate eliminated until a single winner has achieved a majority. This system is used in some elections, including the election of Speakers in several countries and Swiss Federal Councillors.
A list giving the results of a recorded division, printed in the Journals and Debates. The result is shown under ‘Yeas’ or ’Nays’, and the members, identified by name, are paired as appropriate.
