Not Voting - Project Open Gov

A general description for a member who does not appear in the recorded votes for either side.

Also used as: not voting, did not vote, no recorded vote, absent from the vote, non-voting member

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament explainer on divisions

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

Not voting is a general description for a member who does not appear in the recorded votes for either side of a division. It should be used carefully, because the official division record does not normally explain whether the person was absent, paired, abstaining, unavailable or not voting for another reason.

Related terms

AbstentionA decision not to vote for either side, or a broader description of not recording a vote.DivisionA formal vote in Parliament where members are counted for each side.PairingAn arrangement where two MPs from opposing sides agree not to vote so their absences balance out.Vote ResultThe recorded outcome of a parliamentary vote, showing whether the question was agreed or rejected.