David Heath

Liberal Democrat - Former Member for Somerton and Frome

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


David Heath is not a member of any APPGs
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
25th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Science and Technology Committee
25th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
25th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
House of Commons Governance Committee
16th Oct 2014 - 17th Dec 2014
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Sep 2012 - 7th Oct 2013
Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
17th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
8th Jan 2009 - 6th May 2010
Justice Committee
26th Mar 2008 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Secretary of State
20th Dec 2007 - 1st Mar 2008
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
10th May 2005 - 20th Dec 2007
Shadow Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
1st Jun 2005 - 1st Jun 2007
Standards and Privileges
5th Nov 2001 - 12th Jul 2005
Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
1st Jun 2002 - 1st Jun 2005
Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
16th Jul 2001 - 10th Nov 2003
Science and Technology Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 10th Nov 2003
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 10th Nov 2003
Shadow Spokesperson (Trade and Industry)
1st Jun 2001 - 1st Jun 2003
Shadow Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
1st Jun 2001 - 1st Jun 2002
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Jun 1999 - 1st Jun 2001
Foreign Affairs Committee
16th Jul 1997 - 1st Nov 1999
Shadow Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
1st Jun 1997 - 1st Jun 1999


Division Voting information

David Heath has voted in 1782 divisions, and 16 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2015 - Infrastructure Planning - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 33
10 Nov 2014 - Business of the House (Today) - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 242
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill (Business of the House) - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 436 Noes - 49
25 Mar 2014 - Representation of the People (Scotland) - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 16 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 226
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 41 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
6 Nov 2013 - Amendments to Bills (Explanatory Statements) - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 13 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 23 Noes - 142
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 22 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 35 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 184
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 26 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 205 Noes - 228
12 Nov 2010 - Sustainable Livestock Bill - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 62 Noes - 29
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 17 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 25 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
David Heath voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
25 Oct 2007 - Modernisation of the House of Commons - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 5 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 36 Noes - 74
5 Jun 2007 - Termination of Pregnancy (Counselling and Miscellaneous Provisions) - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 28 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 107 Noes - 182
31 Oct 2006 - Termination of Pregnancy - View Vote Context
David Heath voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 108 Noes - 187
View All David Heath Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
John Bercow (Speaker)
(60 debate interactions)
Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour)
(44 debate interactions)
Chris Bryant (Labour)
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
(36 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(631 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(99 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(30 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
David Heath has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all David Heath's debates

Latest EDMs signed by David Heath

David Heath has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by David Heath, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


David Heath has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by David Heath

Wednesday 16th October 2013

1 Bill introduced by David Heath


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Regulation of Investigative Powers Act 2000 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to ensure judicial oversight of the use of material derived from British citizens by means of surveillance of telecommunications; to make provisions concerning the operation of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 11th December 2013

David Heath has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 3 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
To ask the Attorney General, what steps he has taken to improve prosecution of wildlife crime.

The CPS views wildlife crime offences very seriously and will robustly prosecute cases referred by the police. In order to achieve this, the CPS has thirteen wildlife co-ordinators based in its regional Areas. They are supported by face to face training and legal guidance on wildlife offences, which is available to all prosecutors and to the public.

3rd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received from Somerset County Council on the re-opening of railway stations in Somerset.

We are not aware of any new station propositions from Somerset County Council.

8th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on prescribing anti-malarial prophylaxis to members of the armed forces serving overseas.

The Ministry of Defence follows the advice of Public Health England's Advisory Committee for Malaria Prevention in providing appropriately tested and effective methods of chemo-prophylaxis to Service personnel who are deploying to areas of the world where there is a risk of contracting malaria. The exact choice of drug depends on a number of factors, including the region the individual is deploying to, the health of the individual and any past history of side effects.