At a glanceMr Alistair Carmichael is a Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, and has represented the seat for 25 years, 1 month. They have cast 294 votes in Commons divisions (51% attendance), tabled 565 written questions and registered 6 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Mr Alistair Carmichael did not vote in 280. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
Current roles
- Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements Committee since 11 Jun 2025
- Liaison Committee (Commons) Committee since 4 Dec 2024
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Committee · Chair since 9 Sep 2024
- Orkney and Shetland Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Liberal Democrat Party since 7 Jun 2001
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Ian Sollom
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 283 of 283 shared votes
-
Alison Bennett
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 279 of 279 shared votes
-
Marie Goldman
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 274 of 274 shared votes
-
Mr Will Forster
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 273 of 273 shared votes
-
Adam Dance
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 272 of 272 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Dame Siobhain McDonagh
Labour
10.1% · 18 of 179 shared votes
-
Mary Creagh
Labour
11.0% · 20 of 181 shared votes
-
Sarah Smith
Labour
11.1% · 21 of 190 shared votes
-
Sarah Owen
Labour
11.3% · 22 of 195 shared votes
-
Ian Murray
Labour
11.4% · 21 of 184 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Employment and earnings1
- Member of the Advisory Board of the House Magazine (registered 22 Sep 2021)
Employment and earnings - Ad hoc payments1
- Payment received on 29 September 2025 - £750.00 (registered 30 Sep 2025)
Land and property (within or outside the UK)1
- Property in Islay, Argyll (registered 16 Nov 2021)
Shareholdings1
- Shares in Coillabus Farms (registered 16 Nov 2021)
Miscellaneous2
- An unpaid partner in Coillabus Farms. (registered 16 Nov 2021)
- Unremunerated Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding. (registered 12 Oct 2017)
Written questions
Economic Crime: United Arab Emirates
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, a) how many mutual legal assistance requests relating to the enforcement of civil fraud judgments have been made to the United Arab Emirates since 2022; b) in how many cases those requests have result
Answer · 29 Apr 2026
The UK Central authority within the Home Office leads on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. This question would be for the Foreign Process Section at the Royal Courts of Justice who are the Central Authority for mutual legal assistance in civil ...
Financial Services: United Arab Emirates
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a) what role the enforceability of UK court judgments plays in the Government’s assessment of financial services cooperation and market access discussions with the United Arab Emirates; and b) whether the non-enforc
Answer · 28 Apr 2026
HM Treasury takes a range of factors into account when discussing financial services cooperation and market access with overseas jurisdictions, including the regulatory framework in those jurisdictions and the competitiveness of the UK market. HM Treasury...
Economic Crime: United Arab Emirates
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, a) how many asset recovery cases involving cooperation with the United Arab Emirates have resulted in funds being returned to UK victims since 2020; b) what metrics are used to measure the operational
Answer · 23 Apr 2026
The UK–UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows is focused on strengthening how we work together on illicit finance, fraud and asset recovery, including the return of the proceeds of crime.Since it was established in 2021, the UK and the UAE have...
Financial Services and Legal Profession: Fraud
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a) what assessment she has made of the potential impact on the international competitiveness of UK financial and legal services of instances in which High Court fraud judgments are not enforced overseas; and b) whet
Answer · 28 Apr 2026
HM Treasury takes a range of factors into account when discussing financial services cooperation and market access with overseas jurisdictions, including the regulatory framework in those jurisdictions and the competitiveness of the UK market. HM Treasury...
United Arab Emirates: Fraud
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a) what assessment he has made of the average time required to secure the recognition and enforcement in the United Arab Emirates of civil fraud judgments of the High Court o
Answer · 29 Apr 2026
The UK regularly engages with the UAE authorities on a range of judicial and legal cooperation issues through established bilateral channels. As a longstanding policy, the Government does not comment on individual legal cases.
Nigeria: Democracy and Elections
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she will raise with President Tinubu of Nigeria the safeguarding of democratic institutions and ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2027 during the his for
Answer · 16 Mar 2026
The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democra...
Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, published on 19 February 2026, for what reason the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will not be lau
Answer · 17 Mar 2026
The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme is an established scheme that is popular with stakeholders in England –and will enable us to deliver funding as soon as possible. Using this scheme will maximise the level of support available to the fishing and seafood se...
Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the total value of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will be allocated to England in the 2026-27 financial year.
Answer · 12 Mar 2026
The total investment announced in the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was £360m over 12 years. The fund has been devolved with funding allocated using the Barnett formula. In the 2026-27 financial year, £22.6 million is allocated to England.
Early day motions
| 14 Jul 2026 | Orkney creel fishery, Community Catch Standard accreditation | 7 sig. |
| 17 Nov 2025 | King’s Award for Open Door Drama Shetland | 7 sig. |
| 17 Jul 2025 | 2025 Island Games | 13 sig. |
| 23 Apr 2025 | Great British Beef Week 2025 | 15 sig. |
| 26 Mar 2025 | Government review into Volumetric Concrete Mobile plants | 14 sig. |
| 6 Feb 2025 | Proposals to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza | 6 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
15 Jul 2026 Engagements
Q4. Like others, I have always respected the Prime Minister as somebody who was in politics because he wanted to give service to his country, and he has earned our gratitude for that. In my constituency, those who volunteer as coastguar…
9 Jul 2026 Iran Conflict: Ceasefire
I am glad that the Minister made that point. May I welcome his acknowledgment and recognition of the implications for domestic industry of what is happening in the Gulf, especially for our food producers and food price inflation? The Minis…
9 Jul 2026 Topical Questions
I welcome the new Minister for farming to his post and welcome his willingness to meet the National Pig Association, and presumably the National Farmers Union Scotland pig sector, too. However, I suggest that the situation needs a bit more…
8 Jul 2026 Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Through you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank Mr Speaker for allowing me the opportunity to ask this urgent question today, and I thank the Minister for his answer. As he knows, last week, we had more than 30 Members in Westminster Hall for …
8 Jul 2026 Maritime and Coastguard Agency
(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make a statement on the management of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and proposed changes to payments made to coastguard rescue officers.
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
I am bereft, Sir Alec. I do hope that nobody goes back and looks at the footage of me when I was inadvertently leaving my jacket open in that manner. As I was saying, a number of other Members wanted to be here. I listened to the Minist…
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
Apologies for de-knighting you earlier, Sir Alec. I thank all hon. Members who took part in the debate and recognise in particular the contribution from the hon. Member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry (Lara Bird). We welcome her to the com…
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
I am grateful to the Minister for his recognition; I am sure that his words will have been heard and appreciated. Some 17% of CROs are now members of the GMB. The threshold for voluntary recognition by the agency would be 10%. As a Labour …
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
You know me too well!
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
Possibly the least surprising thing that the House will hear today is that I agree with every word of that. In my view, what is being proposed is so fundamentally disrespectful of CROs. Despite that sense of pride and duty and the impor…
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
This is the intervention.
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
I have spoken to you about taking interventions today, Mr Shelbrooke. So many people are in the Chamber that I am afraid I have agreed to take just one—from the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East (Joe Robertson), who is running the drop-in…
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
I know of no CRO who gives their time and skills for the money, but the way in which they have received financial recognition in recent years has enabled them to make their contribution. That is especially true for the self-employed: many …
1 Jul 2026 Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance
I beg to move, That this House has considered HMRC guidance and remuneration of coastguard volunteers. It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Shelbrooke. I welcome the Minister to his place. This debate is timely, bec…
24 Jun 2026 Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
I remind the House of my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I welcome the publication of the farming road map. It may not have been rushed, but it is welcome none the less; all we need now is a revised food strategy,…
24 Jun 2026 North Sea Oil and Gas
How confident is the Minister that he can maintain the infrastructure in the North sea and to the west of Shetland, so that oil and gas can be brought onshore, as well as through floating production storage and offloading units, without ne…
24 Jun 2026 North Sea Oil and Gas
I am keen to emphasise the great breadth of agreement between myself and my hon. Friend on this matter. She is absolutely right about the future of jobs. She knows that I chair the all-party parliamentary group on marine energy. Marine ren…
24 Jun 2026 North Sea Oil and Gas
My hon. Friend has come to a point of some interest. We talk about oil and gas as if they are one commodity, but they are very different things, of course, and she will know that the gas that is to be extracted in the North sea and also to…
24 Jun 2026 North Sea Oil and Gas
Each time, the hon. Lady says, “Instead of that, it’s this.” It is not an either/or; it is an “as well”.
24 Jun 2026 North Sea Oil and Gas
Much of what the hon. Lady says is correct, but she is setting oil and gas up in opposition to the development of renewables, when they absolutely are not. I do not believe there is a long-term future for the oil and gas industry, but we w…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Government posts
- Secretary of State for Scotland · Scotland Office 7 Oct 2013 – 8 May 2015
- Comptroller (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons) · HM Household 12 May 2010 – 7 Oct 2013
Opposition posts
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice) · Opposition Department 11 Jul 2022 – 18 Sep 2024
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) · Opposition Department 7 Sep 2020 – 18 Sep 2024
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) · Opposition Department 7 Sep 2020 – 18 Sep 2024
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office) · Opposition Department 7 Sep 2020 – 10 Jul 2022
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Exiting the European Union) · Opposition Department 6 Jan 2020 – 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) · Opposition Department 6 Jan 2020 – 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Chief Whip · Opposition Department 16 Jun 2017 – 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) · Opposition Department 16 Jun 2017 – 6 Jan 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) · Opposition Department 7 Feb 2019 – 21 Aug 2019
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) · Opposition Department 29 Jul 2015 – 16 Jun 2017
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) · Opposition Department 18 Oct 2007 – 6 May 2010
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland) · Opposition Department 1 Jun 2008 – 12 Apr 2010
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport) · Opposition Department 3 Mar 2006 – 18 Oct 2007
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) · Opposition Department 10 May 2005 – 2 Mar 2006
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) · Opposition Department 10 May 2001 – 10 May 2005
Committee memberships
- Prison Media Bill 15 May 2024 – 22 May 2024
- Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill 2 Feb 2022 – 9 Feb 2022
- Local Government (Disqualification) Bill 24 Nov 2021 – 1 Dec 2021
- Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union 31 Oct 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Energy and Climate Change Committee 8 Jul 2015 – 17 Oct 2016
- Members' Allowances 9 Feb 2009 – 6 May 2010
- Consolidation etc. Bills (Joint Committee) 25 Mar 2008 – 6 May 2010
- Scottish Affairs Committee 28 Jan 2008 – 6 May 2010
- Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Joint Committee) 1 May 2008 – 22 Jul 2008
- Public Accounts Committee 12 Jul 2005 – 22 May 2006
- Scottish Affairs Committee 16 Jul 2001 – 12 Jul 2005
- International Development Committee 5 Nov 2001 – 26 Feb 2002
Previous seats
- Orkney and Shetland · Elected 5 times 5 May 2005 – 30 May 2024
- Orkney and Shetland · Elected 1 time 7 Jun 2001 – 5 May 2005
Elections contested
- Paisley South 11 Jun 1987
Expenses
Contact & offices
020 7219 8181
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
Orkney: 14 Palace Road , Kirkwall, KW15 1PA
Constituency office
Shetland: 171 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0HX
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Mr Alistair Carmichael, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Mr Alistair Carmichael?
Mr Alistair Carmichael is a Member of Parliament representing Orkney and Shetland in the House of Commons. See Mr Alistair Carmichael's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Mr Alistair Carmichael represent?
Mr Alistair Carmichael sits as Liberal Democrat. See Mr Alistair Carmichael's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Mr Alistair Carmichael represent?
Mr Alistair Carmichael is the Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland. See Mr Alistair Carmichael's official Parliament profile.
How long has Mr Alistair Carmichael been an MP?
Mr Alistair Carmichael has served in the House of Commons for 25 years, 1 month. See Mr Alistair Carmichael's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Mr Alistair Carmichael?
Mr Alistair Carmichael has 6 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Mr Alistair Carmichael's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.