page_title: Division of the assembly
section_title: House of Commons
hierarchical_section_title: Division of the assembly / United Kingdom / House of Commons
caption_attribution_description: English: The Chamber of the House of Commons, with members walking out for a division.
context_page_description: In parliamentary procedure, a division of the assembly, division of the house, or simply division is a method of taking a vote that physically counts members voting.
  Historically, and often still today, members are literally divided into physically separate groups. This was the method used in the Roman Senate, and occasionally in Athenian democracy. Westminster system parliament chambers have separate division lobbies for the "Ayes" and "Noes" to facilitate physical division. In several assemblies, a division bell is rung throughout the building when a division is happening, in order to alert members not present in the chamber. In the United Kingdom, division bells are also present in a number of bars and restaurants near the Palace of Westminster in order to call members to vote who may be outside the building.
context_section_description: In the House of Commons, the Speaker says "The Question is that…", states the question and next says "As many as are of that opinion say Aye". Then, following shouts of "Aye", the Speaker says "Of the contrary, No" and similar shouts of "No" may follow. If one side clearly has more support, the Speaker then announces their opinion as to the winner, stating, for example, "I think the Ayes have it, the Ayes have it". Otherwise, the Speaker declares a division.
  Any member may object to the Speaker's determination. If feeling that the division is unnecessary, the Speaker may first ask those who support the determination of the voice vote to rise, and then ask those who oppose the opinion to rise. Then, the Speaker may either declare that the ruling on the voice vote stands, or proceed to a division.
  If a division is to be taken, the Speaker first states, "Division! Clear the lobbies!". Like all parliamentary procedure, there is a historical reason for the tradition. In this case it was a division that took place on 27 February 1771 when a non MP (known as a 'stranger'), one Thomas Hunt, was included in the 'Noes' vote.  It subsequently transpired that he had voted several times previously.  The Division bell then sounds across the Parliamentary Estate as well as several buildings in the vicinity, such as restaurants and pubs. (For a full list see external bells.) The lobbies are cleared of strangers, these days primarily journalists, but historically could have been members of the public. Division bells notify any members not currently in the chamber that a vote is about to start. A recent development has been the use of pagers and mobile phones by party whips, to summon members from further afield.
  Two minutes into the division the Speaker puts the question to the House again. If it is clear that a division is still required, the Speaker announces the tellers, two each for the "Ayes" and "Noes". These are appointed by those voting.  The tellers are automatically included in the tally of those voting. Some parliamentary sources will report the vote, for instance as, "247 + 2 tell". 
  MPs have to walk through one of the two division lobbies on either side of the House and give their name to the division clerks at the end of the respective lobbies to vote. They are then counted by the tellers as they leave the lobby. The whips keep check on which MPs enter which lobby and try to persuade them to enter the lobby that the party would like them to enter.
  An MP is prohibited from voting on any matter in which he or she has a direct financial interest. In order to act as a disqualification, the matter must be immediate and personal and not a general or remote matter.
  Originally, there was only one lobby. After the fire of 1834, the House of Commons Chamber was rebuilt. At that time, a second lobby was added.
  Eight minutes after the question has been put for the first time, the Speaker declares, "Lock the doors!" The lobby entrances are locked, and only those within the lobbies may continue to vote.
  After all members have voted in the lobbies, the vote totals are written on a card and the numbers are read out to the House by one of the tellers of the winning side announcing as follows; "The Ayes to the right: (number of votes), The Noes to the left: (number of votes). The Speaker then announces these numbers a second time, announcing the final result by saying "The Ayes/Noes have it, the Ayes/Noes have it". The Speaker then adds: "Unlock." The Speaker does not vote, except in the case of a tie and then only strictly in accordance to precedent. This means that the Speaker will vote in accordance with these principles:
  Legislation remains unchanged unless there is a majority in favour of amendment,
  Legislation is allowed to proceed to the next stage unless there is a majority in favour of rejection, and
  All other motions are rejected unless there is a majority in favour of passage.
  Members may signify, but not record, an abstention by remaining in their seats during the division. Though the practice is traditionally frowned upon, MPs c
caption: A division, circa 2012
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