MP for Orkney and Shetland
“A long-serving Liberal Democrat MP with strong party loyalty and a centrist record on welfare and public services.”
Alistair Carmichael is the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, first elected in 2001. He currently serves on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and sits on the Commons Liaison Committee, including the Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements (since 2025). Earlier in his parliamentary career he has held multiple Lib Dem spokesperson roles across Justice, Home Affairs and other portfolios, reflecting a long-standing involvement in party policy.
Carmichael shows high party loyalty (100%), with no rebel votes and a voting attendance of 65%—above his party’s average. He generally votes for welfare and NHS funding, and against tighter immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme. His votes on VAT, transgender rights and prison sentencing are mixed, reflecting a centrist, pragmatic approach.
Six financial interests are declared, spanning miscellaneous entries, employment and earnings (including ad hoc payments), land and property (within or outside the UK), 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: 19%
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.
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
AYEUniversal 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
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Third Reading
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: Amendment 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory 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.
