New analysis can compare and contrast the work of each Bradford MP across three separate categories. 

As MPs return to the House of Commons following the Easter recess, we will be taking a look at different MPs' contributions to parliamentary matters each day.

The data is broken down by how many times the MP has voted, how many debates the MP has taken part in and how many parliamentary questions the MP has asked since the last general election.

In the second part of this series, we will take a look at the contributions of Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Votes by Naz Shah MP

The figures from the House of Commons Library (HoC) show the activities of MPs between the state opening of Parliament on December 16, 2019 and March 7, 2022.

Of the 491 votes over this time, Naz Shah, who serves in the official Opposition, recorded 350 ayes or noes.

She recorded no vote or abstained on 141 occasions – giving the representative a participation rate of 71 per cent.

This was below the 81 per cent average for all UK politicians who have sat in the House of Commons since the election (excluding the Speakers).

The HoC Library said MPs may not vote because they are carrying out other work related to their parliamentary, government or opposition roles.

Participation rates may be affected by ‘pairing arrangements’, whereby MPs from different parties who cannot attend a division agree to cancel out one another’s vote.

Before divisions, debates are held for Members to discuss government policy, new laws and topical issues of the day to help the House reach an informed decision.

The Conservatives had the highest average participation rate of 86 per cent while Labour had an overall rate of 77 per cent.

Debates

Since the last election, Ms Shah has taken part in 90 debates, speaking a total of 42,736 words.

By comparison, the average MP has spoken 44,530 words over the same period, Prime Minister Boris Johnson around 394,000 and Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon a whopping 560,000.

These include spoken contributions and oral questions in the House of Commons chamber and in Westminster Hall, but not those shorter than four words.

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Parliamentary Questions

The figures also show Naz Shah has asked 125 Parliamentary Questions since the last election.

These are put formally to a government minister about a matter they are responsible for, to seek information or to press for action from the Government.

This included 16 put to a government minister in person, 100 in writing and two topical questions – those asked during the last 15 minutes of most ministerial question sessions.

Ms Shah also asked seven during Prime Minister's Questions – the weekly session when the PM faces scrutiny in the House.