Number of divisions in the House of Commons since 1945

Not every motion before the House of Commons is subject to a division; if the House is in agreement, there is no need to vote.

To test the opinion of the House, the Speaker will ask for MPs who agree with a motion to call out ‘aye’ and those who disagree ‘no’. If there is no clear majority, the Speaker will call for a division by announcing, ‘division, clear the lobbies’. MPs then vote on the motion by walking through the Aye Lobby or the No Lobby (both of which adjoin the Commons Chamber). In the lobbies, MPs are counted by tellers, and their names are recorded.

Four MPs are appointed as tellers by the Speaker: two representing those voting for the motion and two representing those voting against. Two tellers (one from each side) are present in each division lobby to ensure a fair count. An MP cannot act as a teller on a question regarding their own suspension. If two tellers cannot be found for either side, the division is called off and the Speaker announces the decision of the House. For example, if there are no tellers, or only one teller, for the ayes, the Speaker declares, ’The noes have it’.

If fewer than 40 MPs (including the Speaker and the tellers) participate in a division, it shows that the House does not have the necessary quorum (the minimum number of MPs required for a vote to take place). The House then moves on to the next item of business. The subject of the division is postponed to another day.

MPs can vote on a series of motions using ballot papers at a convenient time (currently from 12.30 pm on Wednesdays) instead of holding divisions immediately at the end of a debate. These are known as 'deferred divisions'.

Deferred divisions were first held in the 2000–01 session, following a report from the Modernisation Committee. Deferred divisions were first introduced as a sessional order (a temporary order that only has effect for one session of the House). The deferred divisions order was added to the permanent Standing Orders of the House of Commons in 2004.

Deferred divisions can be used with motions on statutory instruments and on certain types of motion which are not subject to amendment. Deferred divisions cannot be use for bill proceedings.

Questions to be decided by deferred divisions are listed on a pink ballot paper in Wednesday’s Vote Bundle. MPs may vote on these deferred divisions in the No Lobby at any time between 12:30 pm and 2 pm (with extra time if such voting is interrupted by ordinary divisions). The division clerks take their places like they would for a division of the House, mark MPs as having voted and take their ballot papers. The result is then announced in the House.

The Division List records the way in which MPs have voted and is usually available to the public soon after a vote in Hansard and Votes in Parliament.

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