MP for Bristol South
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
“A loyal Labour MP and health minister who backs welfare funding and NHS support while opposing tougher immigration controls.”
Karin Smyth is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Bristol South, first elected in 2015. She serves as Minister of State for Health and Social Care, a role she has held since July 2024, after a parliamentary career focused on health policy, scrutiny of public services and health-related committees.
She has 100% party loyalty with attendance above the party average and no rebel votes, indicating strong alignment with Labour positions. Her voting record shows consistent support for Universal Credit and NHS funding, while she generally opposes stricter immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme. Her record on other issues is mixed, with votes spanning transport regulation, VAT, transgender rights, and trade union powers.
Declares two financial interests: gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources; and miscellaneous.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Labour (Co-op) average: 33%
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
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Since Jul 2024
Shadow Minister (Health)
Sept 2023 - May 2024
Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill
Nov 2022 - Nov 2022
Down Syndrome Bill
Jan 2022 - Jan 2022
Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Dec 2021 - Nov 2022
Health and Care Bill
Sept 2021 - Nov 2021
Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
Apr 2020 - Feb 2021
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 4
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
AYEVictims and Courts Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Opposition day motion: student loans
NOOpposition day motion: fuel duty
NODraft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEDraft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
AYEThe 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.
