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 third part of this series, we will take a look at the contributions of Imran Hussain, the Labour MP for Bradford East.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Votes by Imran Hussain 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, Imran Hussain recorded 369 ayes or noes.

He recorded no vote, or abstained, on 122 occasions – giving the Yorkshire and The Humber representative a participation rate of 75 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, Mr Hussain has taken part in 53 debates, speaking a total of 19,259 words.

By comparison, the average MP has spoken 44,530 words over the same period. 

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

Mr Hussain has asked 169 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 17 put to a government minister in person, 144 in writing and one topical question – those asked during the last 15 minutes of most ministerial question sessions.

And he asked seven during Prime Minister's Questions – the weekly session when the PM faces scrutiny in the House.

Speaking on the data, the MP said: “I am proud to be an MP for my home city of Bradford, and since my election as the Member of Parliament for Bradford East, I have consistently stood up for Bradford’s interests and opposed the damaging action taken by this Conservative Government, which is reflected in my strong record of delivery.

“As Bradford’s representative to Westminster, I have also prided myself on being an open, accessible and active grassroots MP embedded in our communities and focused on my community work as well as my casework for constituents, with open door advice surgeries that are accessible to all to raise issues and concerns, as thousands of my constituents have already done.

“In my work as your MP, I have been at the forefront of opposing policies in Parliament that would hurt people in Bradford, such as the brutal £1,000 a year cut to Universal Credit, the reckless decision to scrap the Bradford stop of Northern Powerhouse Rail, and the divisive Nationality and Borders Bill, whilst also leading on issues that champion Bradford such as the City of Culture 2025 bid.”