MP for Whitehaven and Workington
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
“A Labour (Co-op) MP and junior Education Minister who is highly loyal to his party, with a pro‑workers’ rights voting record but unusually low voting attendance.”
Josh MacAlister is a Labour (Co-op) MP for Whitehaven and Workington, elected in 2024. He currently serves as Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department for Education (since September 2025). He previously sat on energy-related committees, including the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee and the Great British Energy Bill committee during the 2024-25 Parliament.
He has 100% party loyalty with zero rebel votes and a notably low voting attendance of 16% (vs. 33% party average). He sits on the centre-left side of the spectrum (36/100). In key policy votes, he generally supports workers’ rights protections and trade union powers, and supports VAT changes and renter protections. He has generally voted against prison sentencing, climate change measures and transgender rights, with mixed results on Universal Credit and mental health services.
Has six declared financial interests: four entries relate to donations and other support (including loans) for activities as an MP, and two entries are miscellaneous.
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 Motion: Defence
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Opposition day motion: student loans
NOOpposition day motion: fuel duty
NODraft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AYEDraft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
AYECourts and Tribunals Bill: Second Reading
AYECourts and Tribunals Bill
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
NOCourts and Tribunals Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 106
AYEChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 102
AYEChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 44
AYEChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools 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.
