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free vote
noun
- a parliamentary division in which members are not constrained by a party whip
Example Sentences
The issue is one the Conservatives say their MSs have a free vote on.
In November, MPs backed Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales by 330 to 275 in a free vote - meaning MPs were allowed to vote with their conscience, rather than following party orders.
MPs were given a free vote on the issue, which meant they could make their own decision rather than follow party instructions.
The newspaper article signals a return to focusing on Labour manifesto pledges, after the Westminster focus of the past few days was firmly on one of the rare political issues where the skirmishing between parties was put to one side and MPs had a free vote on the assisted dying bill.
"You can’t underestimate the power of following the prime minister into his division lobby, even if it was a free vote," they say.
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