Shailesh Vara Portrait

Shailesh Vara

Conservative - Former Member for North West Cambridgeshire

First elected: 5th May 2005

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Joint Committee on the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act
10th Nov 2020 - 30th May 2024
British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill
20th Mar 2024 - 17th Apr 2024
Automated Vehicles Bill [HL]
13th Mar 2024 - 19th Mar 2024
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
7th Jul 2022 - 6th Sep 2022
Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill
2nd Mar 2022 - 22nd Mar 2022
Environmental Audit Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 12th Oct 2020
Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
23rd Jul 2018 - 15th Nov 2018
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)
9th Jan 2018 - 23rd Jul 2018
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jul 2015 - 18th Jul 2016
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
7th Oct 2013 - 18th Jul 2016
Finance and Services Committee
14th Nov 2011 - 14th Jan 2013
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
12th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Administration Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 14th Nov 2011
Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
8th Nov 2006 - 6th May 2010
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 11th Dec 2006
Vice-Chair, Conservative Party
1st Jul 2001 - 1st Jul 2005


Division Voting information

Shailesh Vara has voted in 3428 divisions, and 28 times against the majority of their Party.

9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 118 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 396 Noes - 83
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 74 Conservative Aye votes vs 112 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 392
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 390 Noes - 81
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 212 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 220 Noes - 400
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 203 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 509
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
12 Mar 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative No votes vs 235 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 391
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative No votes vs 93 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 46 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 196
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 46 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 216
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 42 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 224
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 84 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 173 Noes - 309
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative No votes vs 98 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 103 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
6 May 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 48 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 392
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Shailesh Vara voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
View All Shailesh Vara 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)
(40 debate interactions)
Emily Thornberry (Labour)
(28 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Justice
(730 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(133 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(113 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(52 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Shailesh Vara's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Shailesh Vara

11th April 2019
Shailesh Vara signed this EDM on Tuesday 23rd April 2019

Exiting the European Union

Tabled by: William Cash (Conservative - Stone)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Exit Day) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 859), dated 11 April 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 April 2019, be annulled.
82 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Apr 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 69
Independent: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 6
Non-affiliated: 1
View All Shailesh Vara's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Shailesh Vara, 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.


Shailesh Vara has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Shailesh Vara

Thursday 12th November 2020

Shailesh Vara has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Shailesh Vara has not asked any Written Questions in the current parliament