Voice Vote - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

A voice vote is held to decide if a bill can progress through to the next stage.

The Speaker of the House of Commons will then propose the question by saying, for example (second reading): "The Question is, that the Bill be now read a second time". The Speaker then invites supporters of the bill to say "aye" and then opponents say "no": "As many as are of that opinion say 'aye', of the contrary 'no' . In what is known as collecting the voices the Speaker makes a judgement as to the loudest cry. A clear majority either way will prompt the response "I think the Ayes/Noes have it" (this can be forced to a division by continued cries either way). If the result is at all in doubt a division will be called and the speaker will say "Division. Clear the Lobby".

In the House of Lords, the Lord Speaker will propose the question by saying, for example (second reading): "The Question is, that the Bill be now read a second time". The Lord Speaker then does similarly to the Commons Speaker, by saying, "As many as are of that opinion say 'Content' and of the contrary 'Not Content' . The Lord Speaker then decides. In the result of a division, the Lord Speaker will say "Division. Clear the Bar".