Legal Definitions - Teller in Parliament

A Teller in Parliament is a Member of Parliament (MP) in the British House of Commons whose specific duty is to count votes during a division (a formal vote). Typically, four Tellers are appointed by the Speaker for each vote: two from the government party and two from the opposition. This ensures that the vote count is accurate and seen as fair by all sides.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a Teller in Parliament:

• Example 1: Voting on a Major Government Bill
  Imagine the government has introduced a highly debated bill to reform the national healthcare system. After hours of discussion, the Speaker calls for a division. Members of Parliament wishing to vote "Aye" (for the bill) walk into one lobby, and those voting "No" (against the bill) walk into another. At the exit of each lobby, two Tellers (one from the government and one from the opposition) stand side-by-side. As each MP passes, the Tellers meticulously count them, ensuring every vote is recorded accurately. This process is crucial for establishing the official outcome of a significant piece of legislation.

• Example 2: Deciding on a Budget Amendment
  During the annual budget debate, an opposition MP proposes an amendment that would significantly alter a proposed tax increase. The amendment is put to a vote, and a division is called. Just as with a major bill, the Tellers from both government and opposition parties are positioned at the entrances to the "Aye" and "No" lobbies. Their role is to precisely count the MPs supporting and opposing the amendment. Their accurate count determines whether the government's original budget proposal stands or if the opposition's amendment is adopted, directly impacting national financial policy.

• Example 3: A Private Member's Bill on Environmental Policy
  Consider a situation where a backbench MP (not a minister) introduces a "Private Member's Bill" aimed at banning certain single-use plastics. While perhaps less contentious than a government bill, it still requires a formal vote to progress through Parliament. When the Speaker calls for a division, the appointed Tellers, representing both the government and opposition benches, will perform their duty. They count the MPs in the "Aye" and "No" lobbies to determine if the bill has enough support to move to the next stage. This demonstrates that Tellers are involved in counting votes for all types of legislation, not just those from the government.