Pam Cox
MP for Colchester
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Ruth Ellis' case serves as a haunting reminder of the justice system's failure to address domestic abuse. Her family has campaigned for years for a posthumous pardon. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that their efforts should strengthen the Government's resolve to combat cycles of abuse?
Context
Ruth Ellis, executed in 1955, was the last woman hanged in the UK. Her case is a reminder of historical injustices regarding domestic abuse and coercive control.
David Lammy
His Majesty the King has accepted our advice to grant Ruth Ellis a conditional pardon, replacing her death sentence with life imprisonment. This acknowledges a profound injustice and seeks to bring peace to Ruth's family after over 70 years of waiting.
Session: PMQs 2026-07-08
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As this parliamentary Session draws to a close, it seems like a good moment to reflect on the legislation passed since the general election. Many Bills have touched every aspect of British life, such as care for pets and measures improving life for renters, carers, investors, football fans, NHS patients, serving personnel. Does the Prime Minister agree this is a good report card? Does he also agree that the best is yet to come?
Context
The question highlights the broad range of legislation passed during a parliamentary session, from care for pets to space industry indemnities.
Keir Starmer
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the 50 pieces of legislation—the 10 health Bills, 27 Labour-led Bills and 36 more Labour-led Bills that we have put through. We whipped to change the country—we all voted to change the country.
Assessment
Did not directly respond to the questioner's statement on achievements and future improvements, focused on opposition instead.
Focused On Highlighting Own Party'S Efforts
Session: PMQs
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It is encouraging to hear that SMEs will benefit from greater access to Government procurement routes. Can the Minister set out which kind of sectors in particular they think will benefit the most?
Context
The MP is interested in how the government's programme for SMEs will specifically benefit certain sectors, particularly those relevant to her constituents and the east of England.
Chris Ward
There are four sectors where we are using national security guidance, but the support for SMEs is much broader. I will happily talk to my hon. Friend and come back to her on particular parts of her constituency, but this plan will be nationwide, supporting all parts of the country, with more than £7 billion of Government money going to SMEs.
Session: Topical Questions
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How will the new listing framework help to fast-track prosecutions for rape and serious sexual offences? What other measures is the Secretary of State introducing or supporting to that end?
Context
The government has promised to bring perpetrators of rape and serious sexual offences to swift justice. There is a need to ensure that the listing framework supports this commitment.
David Lammy
My hon. Friend will have heard that we are also piloting new digital and AI-enabled tools to support listing, helping the judiciary to make better use of data. I hope she will have seen that the reforms we are introducing under the Courts and Tribunals Bill include introducing independent legal advisers and expanding the principles of Operation Soteria into the courtroom, making sure that victims have the protection and support they deserve throughout the justice system. The Bill also introduces crucial reforms to ensure that rape victims are no longer unfairly undermined by evidence at court that relies on myths and misconceptions.
Session: National Listing Framework
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What progress has been made on creating a national listing framework?
Context
Listing practices vary between courts, creating inconsistencies and a 'postcode lottery' for victims of crimes. The government is expected to address this issue through a new national listing framework.
David Lammy
Listing decisions are rightly a matter for the judiciary. We know that listing practices can vary between courts, creating what many victims see as a postcode lottery, so I am pleased that the Lady Chief Justice, with the support of this Government, will publish a new national listing framework to clarify the listing process, set consistent principles and help deliver swifter justice for victims.
Session: National Listing Framework
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My constituent endured years of domestic abuse and came forward to Thames Valley police after seeking help from local organisations. She was badly let down by poor processes leading to her abuser avoiding prosecution despite a positive decision. Worried for her personal safety with PTSD, what additional measures will ensure other victims do not face similar circumstances?
Context
A constituent endured years of abuse, faced process failures when reporting to the police, resulting in her perpetrator avoiding prosecution. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current support systems.
Jess Phillips
The Government have invested £13.1 million in a policing centre focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, seeking to improve accountability and address system gaps.
Session: Domestic Violence Victim Support
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Will the Minister set out how our new veterans strategy and Valour will better support those who have served in our armed forces? Also, would a member of the ministerial team love to visit Colchester for its 25th anniversary?
Context
Colchester houses many serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)
As my hon. Friend rightly notes, the veterans strategy is a huge step forward in how we will support our veterans. The £50 million Valour commitment will rapidly improve how we meet our veterans’ needs, and I will visit her constituency.
Session: Topical Questions
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Today I am hosting pupils from Colchester academy in Greenstead in my constituency. They and their families want a clean River Colne. Will the Secretary of State set out what the Government are doing to hold Anglian Water to account, and whether she is seeing an improvement in its performance?
Context
The MP noted concerns from constituents about the River Colne in her constituency. Anglian Water is responsible for maintaining water quality.
Emma Reynolds
I thank my hon. Friend for campaigning on these issues. We have already banned bonuses in six water companies, including Anglian Water, as she will know, for not meeting our high standards. That is a powerful incentive for companies to deliver immediate improvements and rebuild public trust. Together, I hope that we can rebuild public trust in our water system for generations to come.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week the Justice Committee heard evidence about the use of special measures to support vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to give their best evidence. That is obviously so important in rape and sexual assault cases. Will the Minister reaffirm her support for the continuing use of those measures, despite some debate about the evidence of their effectiveness?
Context
The MP referred to evidence heard by the Justice Committee about special measures used to support vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, particularly in rape and sexual assault cases.
Alex Davies-Jones
I was pleased to attend the Justice Committee to discuss how important section 28 is to vulnerable witnesses and victims, and the difference that it makes by allowing victims of rape and sexual offence crimes specifically to be maintained within the justice system, allowing them to give their evidence in a safe manner that is more accessible to them. In a justice system where currently 60% of rape victims are withdrawing from the process because of the backlog, the waits and how traumatic it is, anything that helps them to be maintained in the criminal justice system is worth championing.
Session: Support for Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence
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The A12 is a major transport route into Colchester and a vital part of economic growth in the region. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the urgent need for upgrades to its western end?
Context
The A12 is a critical transportation route into Colchester and an essential element for economic growth in the region.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)
I would be delighted.
Session: Topical Questions
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I recently visited the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse in Colchester which offers vital support to victims of rape and serious sexual violence. Will the Solicitor General reaffirm the Government's commitment to such organisations carrying out frontline work? What is she doing to enhance the number of rape trials that actually proceed?
Context
Cox visited CARA, a Colchester organisation supporting rape and sexual abuse victims.
The Solicitor General
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the important role that organisations such as CARA play in supporting victims of rape and serious sexual violence. Supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process is a priority for this Government, and we are taking a range of measures to do just that, including implementing Raneem’s law to embed dedicated domestic abuse teams within 999 control rooms and introducing free independent legal advisers for victims of adult rape.
Session: Support for Victims of Crime
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Last month, I was pleased to host a true heritage champion, Dame Mary Beard, in Colchester. She came to visit an incredible sporting heritage site: Britain’s only known Roman chariot racing track, the Colchester Roman Circus. She, like me, thinks that we should make much more of the site and that we are missing a national trick if we do not. Does the Minister agree that any new housing development adjacent to the site must make the most of this national heritage value, and will he visit the site, which surely combines both elements of his brief—actually, all the elements: sport, culture and media—in the most spectacular fashion?
Context
The MP referenced a visit by Dame Mary Beard to the Colchester Roman Circus, highlighting its national importance and potential for development. The site combines elements of sport, culture, and media.
The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism (Chris Bryant)
As my hon. Friend knows, I fully support the project, which I know she has been engaged in since before she was an MP right through until now. I am delighted that she has Mary Beard involved and I am sure that by the end of this, she will be able to pronounce “Veni, vidi, vici.”
Session: Heritage Sector Impact of Spending Review
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Backbench Business
16 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Armed Forces Act 2026 - Amendments 2, 3, 4, 88, and 89
02 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Nusrat Ghani proposes several amendments to the Armed Forces Act 2026 aimed at ensuring continuity of support for children with special educational needs, adoption and fostering arrangements, NHS ...
Criminal Justice Bill - After Clause 14 - Duty to inform victims and families of the unduly lenient sentencing scheme
25 March 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Road Safety 2026-02-05
05 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Road safety is a personal issue for me as my grandfather died in a road accident. Despite improvements, four people still die on our roads every day and 76 more are injured seriously. The fatal five c...
National Cancer Plan 2026-02-05
05 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government's national cancer plan aims to save 320,000 more lives by 2035. The plan includes modernising the NHS, harnessing science and technology, prioritising clinical trials, early detection t...
Sentencing Bill 2026-01-20
20 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government welcomes the new shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Timothy, to his role and expects thoughtful analysis rather than vitriolic social media videos. The Sentencing Bill aims to address priso...
Higher Education Government Support 2026-01-12
12 January 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
I am pleased to have secured this debate on Government support for higher education. The UK is home to some of the world’s most respected universities, and their value is undeniable in terms of opport...
Jury Trials 2026-01-07
07 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That this House believes that it is wrong to abolish jury trials for crimes with anticipated sentences of three years or less because jury trials are a fundamental part of the UK consti...
Local Government Finance 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
US National Security Strategy 2025-12-11
11 December 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm how the Government will update their national security approach in light of the recent United States National Security Strategy? The strategy's implications for Europe, inclu...
Attendance
95.9%
94 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
34
34.7% of votes
No Votes
60
61.2% of votes
Abstentions
4
4.1% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
10
Ministerial Questions Asked
37
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-25% below average
This MP:
10
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+661% above average
This MP:
37
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+39% above average
This MP:
95.9
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Pam Cox's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.