Alistair Carmichael’s voting in Parliament

Alistair Carmichael is a Liberal Democrat MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Liberal Democrat MPs.

However, Alistair Carmichael sometimes differs from their party colleagues, such as:

• Alistair Carmichael generally voted against smoking bans; comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted for. Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, 7 absences, between 2002–2015. Liberal Democrat, 11 votes, between 2002–2015
• Alistair Carmichael generally voted for transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament; comparable Liberal Democrat MPs generally voted against. Show votes 29 votes for, 10 votes against, 23 absences, between 2011–2022. Liberal Democrat, 64 votes, between 2011–2022

We have lots more plain English analysis of Alistair Carmichael’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Alistair Carmichael’s full vote analysis page for more.

Alistair Carmichael has never rebelled against their party in the current parliament. Find out more.

Recent appearances

• Written Answers — Ministry of Justice: Courts: Buildings 26 Sep 2023

  To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish a list of all court buildings constructed during the 1990s.

• Written Answers — Treasury: Whisky: Excise Duties 18 Sep 2023

  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in alcohol duty on (a) economic growth and (b) job creation within the Scotch Whisky industry.

• Written Answers — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Food: UK Trade with EU 14 Sep 2023

  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of business preparedness for future controls on the import of (a) food and (b) fresh products from the EU.

More of Alistair Carmichael’s recent appearances

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Profile

Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland

Entered the House of Commons on 7 June 2001 — General election

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Social Media

• @amcarmichaelMP
• https://facebook.com/AlistairForOrkneyandShetland

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

Alistair Carmichael campaigned to remain in the European Union Source: BBC

• Transport
• Treasury
• Home Department
• Home Office
• Trade and Industry
• Crown Estate
• Railways
• Departmental Postal Services
• Shipping
• Royal Prerogative

Currently held offices

• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice) (since 11 Jul 2022)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) (since 7 Sep 2020)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) (since 7 Sep 2020)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill Committee ( 2 Feb 2022 to 9 Feb 2022)
• Member, Local Government (Disqualification) Bill Committee (24 Nov 2021 to 1 Dec 2021)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office) ( 7 Sep 2020 to 10 Jul 2022)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Exiting the European Union) ( 6 Jan 2020 to 7 Sep 2020)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) ( 6 Jan 2020 to 7 Sep 2020)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) ( 7 Feb 2019 to 21 Aug 2019)
• Liberal Democrat Chief Whip (16 Jun 2017 to 7 Sep 2020)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) (16 Jun 2017 to 6 Jan 2020)
• Member, Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union (31 Oct 2016 to 3 May 2017)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) (29 Jul 2015 to 16 Jun 2017)
• Member, Energy and Climate Change Committee ( 8 Jul 2015 to 17 Oct 2016)
• The Secretary of State for Scotland ( 7 Oct 2013 to 8 May 2015)
• Comptroller (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons) (12 May 2010 to 7 Oct 2013)
• Member, Members' Allowances Committee ( 9 Feb 2009 to 6 May 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland) ( 1 Jun 2008 to 12 Apr 2010)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland ( 1 Jun 2008 to 12 Apr 2010)
• Member, Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Joint Committee) ( 1 May 2008 to 22 Jul 2008)
• Member, Consolidation etc. Bills (Joint Committee) (25 Mar 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Scottish Affairs Committee (28 Jan 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland) (18 Oct 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (18 Oct 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport) ( 3 Mar 2006 to 18 Oct 2007)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Transport ( 3 Mar 2006 to 18 Oct 2007)
• Member, Public Accounts Committee (12 Jul 2005 to 22 May 2006)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs) (10 May 2005 to 2 Mar 2006)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) (10 May 2005 to 2 Mar 2006)
• Member, International Development Committee ( 5 Nov 2001 to 26 Feb 2002)
• Member, Scottish Affairs Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 12 Jul 2005)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) (10 May 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) (10 May 2001 to 10 May 2005)

Previous MPs in this constituency

• Jim Wallace
• Jo Grimond
• Basil Neven-Spence
• Robert Hamilton
• John Wason
• Leonard Lyell
• Samuel Laing
• Frederick Dundas
• Arthur Anderson
• Frederick Dundas
• Thomas Balfour
• George Traill
• George Dundas
• John Balfour
• George Dundas
• Richard Honyman
• Malcolm Laing
• Robert Honyman
• Robert Honyman

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Local Government (Disqualification) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Fisheries Bill Committee (10 out of 11)
• Wild Animals in Circuses (No. 2) Bill Committee (2 out of 3)
• Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc.) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill Committee (1 out of 2)
• Racial and Religious Hatred Bill Committee (2 out of 4)
• Road Safety Bill Committee (7 out of 9)
• Identity Cards Bill Committee (10 out of 11)
• Criminal Defence Service Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Drugs Bill Committee (6 out of 6)
• Inquiries Bill Committee (3 out of 3)
• Civil Partnership Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Civil Contingencies Bill Committee (7 out of 8)
• Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill Committee (3 out of 4)
• Police (Northern Ireland) Bill Committee (7 out of 9)
• Crime (International Co-operation) Bill Committee (4 out of 8)
• Sunday Working (Scotland) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Extradition Bill Committee (8 out of 9)
• Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Enterprise Bill Committee (12 out of 19)
• Proceeds of Crime Bill Committee (24 out of 39)