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Division Vote (Commons)
24 Nov 2025 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 300 Labour No votes vs 7 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 74 Noes - 311
Division Vote (Commons)
24 Nov 2025 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 304 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 99 Noes - 367
Division Vote (Commons)
24 Nov 2025 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 306 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 158 Noes - 318
Written Question
Electoral Commission: Public Opinion
Monday 24th November 2025

Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Committee has made an assessment of the (a) public's perception of the independence of the Commission and (b) potential impact of the Electoral Commission strategy and policy statement, published on 29 February 2024, on the public's perception of the Commission's independence.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission publishes annual research on public attitudes to elections and democracy. In the latest study, published in April 2025, 52% of respondents said they trust the Commission to be an independent regulator. Historical data is available on the Commission's website.

The Commission strives to foster public trust in its independence and ensure it is clear for voters and campaigners to see. It remains opposed to the principle of a strategy and policy statement, by which a government can guide its work, because it could be used in ways that might damage political party or public trust.

In February 2025, the Commission reported to the Speaker's Committee on how it had had regard to the Strategy and Policy Statement, designated by the then-UK Government in Febrary 2024. The Commission balanced its duties and responsibilities as they related to the statement with the regard it gives to other factors, particularly the will, priorities and legislative agendas of the UK's three parliaments, and its statutory duties.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 24 Nov 2025
Gaza: Humanitarian Obligations

"It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Ms McVey, and to be able to speak in this e-petition debate. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Irene Campbell) on her opening of today’s debate. As the former Chair of the Petitions Committee, …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Gaza: Humanitarian Obligations
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Nov 2025 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 312 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 16
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Nov 2025 - Telecommunications - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 312 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 16
Division Vote (Commons)
19 Nov 2025 - Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 306 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 326 Noes - 92
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Nov 2025 - Northern Ireland Troubles Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 311 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 327
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Nov 2025 - Northern Ireland Troubles Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 310 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 105