MP for Orkney and Shetland
“A party loyalist who rarely rebels and maintains strong attendance, with a centrist, policy-driven voting record.”
Alistair Carmichael has served as the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland since 2001. He sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the Commons Liaison Committee, and since 2025 on the Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements; previously he held Liberal Democrat spokesperson roles including Justice, Home Affairs and other portfolios.
Carmichael demonstrates very high party loyalty (no rebel votes) and attendance above his party's average. His voting record shows support for welfare measures such as Universal Credit and for NHS funding, while opposing stricter immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme; on VAT, transgender rights and prison sentencing he votes in a mixed pattern.
He has six declared financial interests across several categories, including miscellaneous entries, employment earnings (and ad hoc payments), land and property, and shareholdings.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Liberal Democrat average: 21%
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
Liberal Democrat average: 100%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
32 positions
Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements
Since Jun 2025
Liaison Committee (Commons)
Since Dec 2024
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Since Sept 2024
Prison Media Bill
May 2024 - May 2024
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
Jul 2022 - Sept 2024
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill
Feb 2022 - Feb 2022
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill
Nov 2021 - Dec 2021
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
Sept 2020 - Sept 2024
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Sept 2020 - Jul 2022
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.
King's Speech Motion for an Address
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C
NOEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Crime and Policing Bill: Motion relating Lords Reasons 359B and 439B
NOCrime and Policing Bill
Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements
Parliamentary role · 11 Jun 2025
Liaison Committee (Commons)
Parliamentary role · 4 Dec 2024
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Parliamentary role · 9 Sept 2024
Prison Media Bill
Parliamentary role · 15 May 2024
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
Opposition role · 11 Jul 2022
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill
Parliamentary role · 2 Feb 2022
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill
Parliamentary role · 24 Nov 2021
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland)
Opposition role · 7 Sept 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
Opposition role · 7 Sept 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Opposition role · 7 Sept 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
Opposition role · 6 Jan 2020
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.
