MP for Rutherglen
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
“A party-loyal minister with a pro‑workers rights stance and unusually low voting attendance.”
Michael Shanks is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Rutherglen, first elected in 2023. He currently serves as Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, having previously held the same department’s role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. He has also served on the Scottish Affairs Committee and in energy-related parliamentary committees.
His voting record shows a generally balanced stance on welfare (Universal Credit votes are split). He generally votes against tighter immigration controls and against the asylum system, and tends to support workers’ rights protections and stronger trade union powers. He also votes in favour of data protection, VAT changes, and bus services regulation, while generally opposing the Rwanda deportation scheme, with a mixed record on transgender rights.
Declared financial interests consist of four miscellaneous items.
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.
6 positions
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since Sept 2025
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Apr 2025 - May 2025
Great British Energy Bill
Sept 2024 - Oct 2024
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Jul 2024 - Sept 2025
Scottish Affairs Committee
Jan 2024 - May 2024
Shadow Minister (Scotland)
Nov 2023 - May 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
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
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 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.
