MP for Leicester West
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
“A highly loyal Labour MP who has risen to a senior government post overseeing science, innovation and technology.”
Liz Kendall is the Labour and Co-operative MP for Leicester West, first elected in 2010. She has held multiple senior government and shadow frontbench roles, most recently serving as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from July 2024 to September 2025 and, from September 2025, as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. Her parliamentary career has included work on health, science and technology, and service on several select committees.
Her voting record shows strong party loyalty, with 100% voting with Labour and attendance above the party average (63% vs 34%). She has only two rebel votes, including the Humble Address in 2019 and the EU–Singapore Free Trade Agreement vote in 2018. On policy, she generally supports welfare and NHS funding, and tends to vote against stricter immigration controls and tougher asylum measures; her votes on VAT, transgender rights and trade union powers are more mixed.
Generated 21 February 2026
Four ministers resigned from Keir Starmer's government amid mounting pressure for him to quit, as more than 80 Labour MPs publicly called for a leadership change. The development signals a rare leadership crisis within Labour and could affect policy direction ahead of elections.
More than 100 Labour MPs signed a letter saying there is 'no time for a leadership contest', backing Keir Starmer as he says he won’t stand down until a formal process is triggered; the party remains divided with cabinet ministers publicly supporting him.
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Labour (Co-op) average: 34%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Labour (Co-op) average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
10 positions
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Since Sept 2025
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Jul 2024 - Sept 2025
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Sept 2023 - May 2024
Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Apr 2020 - Sept 2023
Treasury Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2020
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Mar 2018 - Nov 2019
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Oct 2015 - Oct 2016
Based on parliamentary votes
Shows how this MP voted in parliamentary divisions on each topic. In Parliament, the government typically votes “aye” on its own legislation, while opposition parties vote “no” — even on topics they broadly support. Voting patterns reflect parliamentary dynamics, not necessarily personal positions.
Voted both ways on universal credit — aye 42%, no 58% (202 votes)
Voted no in 76% of immigration controls divisions (81 of 168 votes)
Voted both ways on bus services regulation — aye 57%, no 43% (122 votes)
Voted no in 72% of vat changes divisions (29 of 97 votes)
Voted no in 73% of asylum system divisions (36 of 77 votes)
Voted no in 68% of transgender rights divisions (34 of 76 votes)
Voted no in 71% of trade union powers divisions (23 of 66 votes)
Voted both ways on nhs funding — aye 59%, no 41% (49 votes)
No registered financial interests. Learn more about the register
Draft Immigration and Asylum (Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum-Seekers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEDraft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEPension Schemes Bill: Government Motion relating to Lords Reason 88X
AYECollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
Privilege
NOChildren's School and Wellbeing Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 38V to 38X
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Carry-over (Motion)
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill
Pension Schemes Bill: Motion relating to Lords Reason 88Q
AYECollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 etc
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 94B and 94C
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 36, 90 and 155
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 98
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 41
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 37
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Keir Starmer told his cabinet he would stay on as prime minister unless a formal leadership challenge is triggered, as ministers resign and allies push for a timetable to depart. The episode highlights leadership tensions within Labour and potential government instability that could affect policy amid a cost-of-living and Middle East crisis.
Labour recorded significant local-election losses to Reform UK, prompting renewed calls from MPs for Keir Starmer to set an exit timetable, though there is as yet no open leadership challenge and party figures are positioning for a reset ahead of the next election.
Labour leader Keir Starmer faces scrutiny over appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington after a security-vetting controversy, with ministers insisting he did not gamble with national security. The row, echoed by Liz Kendall and David Lammy ahead of a Commons showdown, centers on judgment and vetting in government appointments.
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
