TONY BLAIR was accused last night of treating Parliament as an irrelevance after recording the worst voting record of any modern prime minister.

Mr Blair turned up for just 6 per cent of Commons votes in the 2003-04 session, far fewer than the leaders of the other major parties and the worst record in the Cabinet. Margaret Thatcher and John Major attended almost four times as many votes as Mr Blair’s 8 per cent average since 1997.

Mr Blair’s reluctance to travel from Downing Street to the Commons was matched by a general decline in MPs’ attendance. Voting fell from 68 per cent in 2002-03 to 65 per cent, despite the changes in hours designed to make the House more family-friendly. The last vote is now usually at 7pm, rather than 10pm.

Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, voted in 36 per cent of the 340 divisions while Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, recorded 54 per cent, according to figures from the House of Commons Library obtained by The Times. Detailed analysis of voting records goes back to 1969 when Harold Wilson was in No 10 Downing Street.

Mr Kennedy said last night: “This is a democratic country and Parliament is not merely an advisory body. The Prime Minister has made too much of a habit of bypassing this Parliament and has also ridden roughshod over the views of many of his parliamentary party.”

Liam Fox, the Tory party co-chairman, who attended 29 per cent of votes, said: “We all understand that high-profile politicians have to be away from the Commons from time to time but a record of 6 per cent is beginning to make a mockery of Parliament.”

Peter Kilfoyle, a former Labour defence minister who voted in three quarters of divisions, added: “Mr Blair’s voting record reflects his view that Parliament is irrelevant for him. I think he regards it as an irritation rather a crucial part of the governing process.”

Details of Mr Blair’s voting performance coincided with yesterday’s disclosure in The Times that he is happy to see the ban on foxhunting — repeatedly backed by Labour MPs — delayed until the courts have dealt with legal challenges. On one of his infrequent trips to the lobbies, Mr Blair backed a compromise that would have allowed licensed hunting. But this was heavily defeated by his backbenchers.He also took part in controversial votes on university top-up fees and foundation hospitals.

Mr Blair’s 2003-04 voting performance was not as bad as his low of 5 per cent in 1997-98. But his average is much worse than any previous prime minister, according to an analysis of votes since 1969 by Andrew Tyrie, the Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Tyrie, who took part in 81 per cent of votes, said that Mr Blair had also led fewer Commons debates than any previous Prime Minister.

“This Prime Minister scarcely bothers with Parliament at all when he can get away with it,” he said. “He has the most shocking record.

“Of course prime ministers often have very important engagements but by making an effort to attend a reasonable proportion of divisions, he provides a crucial opportunity for MPs to buttonhole him. By repudiating that, he is providing further fuel to those who say he is becoming a president in all but name.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “It is the case that prime ministers traditionally vote less than other MPs and people will recognise that he has had a very busy year” One Westminster insider added: “It is a complete waste of time for Mr Blair to come over from Downing Street when he has a majority of 160.”

The most assiduous voter is Dennis Skinner, Labour MP for Bolsover, who recorded 97 per cent of votes, better even than any of the party whips, whose job it is to attend votes.

The joint lowest performance was by George Galloway, MP for Glasgow Kelvin, and James Wray, Labour MP for Glasgow Baillieston.

Mr Galloway said: “The vast majority of divisions consist of government motions and amendments from Michael Howard. I seldom wish to vote for either and there is no provision for abstention.”

Mr Wray was unavailable for comment.

MPs' voting record in full

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