Opposition Day Motion

Opposition Day Motion: Oil and Gas

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

What was this vote about?

This was an opposition day motion — a debate topic chosen by an opposition party. These motions are not binding on the government, but they signal political positions and can put pressure on ministers.

The result

Motion rejected

Margin: 189

108

297

Aye (27%)No (73%)

405 of 650 eligible MPs voted (62% turnout)

How each party voted

Conservative

Voted for

98 aye0 no16 absent

Democratic Unionist Party

Voted for

5 aye0 no

Ulster Unionist Party

Voted for

1 aye0 no

Traditional Unionist Voice

Voted for

1 aye0 no

Independent

Split

3 aye6 no4 absent

Labour (Co-op)

Voted against

0 aye282 no119 absent

Who rebelled?(3 MPs)

3 MPs voted against their party whip.

Independent(3 rebels — party voted no)

Mr Adnan Hussain(Blackburn)

aye

Patrick Spencer(Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)

aye

Alex Easton(North Down)

aye

Why it matters

MPs debated an Opposition Day Motion on oil and gas policy. The division ended 108 in favour and 297 against—a margin of 189—with three MPs voting against their own party whip.

Opposition motion defeated by wide marginThree MPs rebelled against their party whipOil and gas policy issue highlighted in Parliament

AI-generated context — may contain errors.

Turnout by party

62%

Ulster Unionist Party

1/1 (100%)

Democratic Unionist Party

5/5 (100%)

Traditional Unionist Voice

1/1 (100%)

Your Party

1/1 (100%)

Conservative

98/114 (86%)

Green Party

4/5 (80%)

Plaid Cymru

3/4 (75%)

Labour (Co-op)

282/401 (70%)

What happens next?

Opposition day motions are non-binding. Even if passed, the government is not legally required to act on them — but a defeat is politically significant.