MP for Whitehaven and Workington
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
“A party-loyal Labour MP who has quickly become a junior minister in education, with perfect voting loyalty and a voting attendance of 15% (well below the party average).”
Josh MacAlister is a Labour (Co-op) MP for Whitehaven and Workington, elected in 2024. He currently serves as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Education. His parliamentary background includes work on energy and net-zero issues, with involvement in the Great British Energy Bill process and membership on the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee prior to his ministerial role.
He votes with his party on all recorded divisions (100% loyalty, no rebel votes). He has a mixed record on Universal Credit, but generally backs workers’ rights and trade union powers, as well as renter protections and VAT changes. He has tended to vote against expanding mental health services, climate change measures, transgender rights, and certain criminal justice and transport regulations.
Declares five financial interests, including three entries for donations and other support related to his activities as an MP, and two miscellaneous entries.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Labour (Co-op) average: 33%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Labour (Co-op) average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
3 positions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Since Sept 2025
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Oct 2024 - Mar 2025
Great British Energy Bill
Sept 2024 - Oct 2024
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
NOIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
NOIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
NOIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
NODraft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Third Reading
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: Amendment 5
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
