Asylum

Policy description

The asylum system is intended to protect people fleeing persecution in their own countries. Parliament has voted on subjects including: routes via which people may enter the United Kingdom to seek asylum; the circumstances in which those seeking asylum may work; support for those seeking asylum and if to allow those claiming asylum to be removed to other countries while their claim is assessed.

View policy details.

Analysis for Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith almost always voted for (91% aligned) a stricter asylum system.

Comparable Labour MPs almost always voted for (88% aligned).

Scoring Divisions

Scoring divisions are used to calculate the headline alignment between a person and a policy.

To suggest amendments or new votes for inclusion, please use this feedback form.

Guide to columns

  • person vote: the vote cast by the person

  • party alignment: how aligned this vote was with other members of the person’s party. Higher numbers indicate less difference from the average vote of the party.

  • policy direction: if an aye vote is aligned or against the overall policy.

  • policy alignment: if this MP’s vote was aligned with the policy.

motion date person vote party alignment policy direction policy aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Only allow destitute asylum seekers and those under residence restrictions to live in accommodation centres for a maximum of 10 weeks — rejected 2002-06-11 no 100% against aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Do not allow appeals against rejected asylum claims from within the UK if the claim is unfounded 2002-06-11 aye 95% agree aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Allow the withdrawal of support from immigrants and asylum seekers in certain circumstances 2002-06-12 absent na agree na
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Do not penalise those who bring passengers to the UK without the necessary authority — rejected 2002-06-12 absent na against na
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Third Reading 2002-06-12 absent na agree na
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill — Decline to give a Second Reading — rejected 2003-12-17 no 93% against aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill — Second Reading 2003-12-17 aye 94% agree aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, Etc.) Bill — Burden of proof on prosecution rather than defendant in cases where immigrants to not have travel documents — rejected 2004-03-01 no 99% against aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, Etc.) Bill — Give support to failed asylum seekers and their families — rejected 2004-03-01 no 92% against aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, Etc.) Bill — Asylum appeals should be referred to a higher court — rejected 2004-03-01 no 90% against aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, Etc.) Bill — Give support to asylum seekers even when they make a late claim — rejected 2004-03-01 no 92% against aligned
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, Etc.) Bill — Third Reading 2004-03-01 aye 96% agree aligned
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill — Third Reading 2005-11-16 aye 100% agree aligned
Immigration Bill — Support for Failed Asylum Seekers and Illegal Migrants 2015-12-01 aye 100% against not aligned
European Union Documents — Relocation of Migrants in need of International Protection 2015-12-14 absent na against na
Immigration Bill — Asylum Seekers: Permission to Work after Six Months 2016-04-25 absent na agree na

Informative Divisions

Informative votes are thematically related to a policy, but do not count towards the overall score.

motion date person vote party alignment policy direction policy aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Allow earlier rights of appeal — rejected 2002-06-11 no 99% against aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Asylum seekers can be placed in accommodation centres even if there is no local school pace for dependent children 2002-11-05 aye 86% agree aligned
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill — Refuse support to asylum seekers who make a late claim 2002-11-05 aye 99% agree aligned
Asylum (Designated States) Order 2003 2003-03-17 aye 99% agree aligned
Asylum (Designated States) (No. 2) Order 2003 2003-07-16 absent na agree na
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill — Excuse employers who employed illegal immigrants but took reasonable steps to comply with the necessary requirements — rejected 2005-11-16 no 100% against aligned
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill — Prevent the government from interpreting the Geneva Convention so that terrorism can be used as grounds to dismiss asylum claims — rejected 2005-11-16 no 99% against aligned
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill — Allow failed asylum seekers to be given cash rather than vouchers — rejected 2006-03-29 no 94% against aligned
The Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007 2007-07-25 absent na agree na
Opposition Day — Assistance for Middle East Refugees 2015-09-09 aye 100% against not aligned
Immigration Bill — Decline Second Reading 2015-10-13 absent na against na
Immigration Bill — Second Reading 2015-10-13 no 100% agree not aligned
Immigration Bill — Clause 8 — Offence of Illegal Working 2015-12-01 aye 100% against not aligned
Immigration Bill — Clauses 13-16 — Residential Tenancies 2015-12-01 aye 100% against not aligned
Immigration Bill — Clause 34 — Human Rights Appeals within the United Kingdom 2015-12-01 aye 100% against not aligned
Immigation Bill — Third Reading 2015-12-01 no 100% agree not aligned