Carmichael condemns Tory tax hike on whisky and gin producers
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today condemned the Conservative government’s duty hike on whisky and other spirits, which came into force this week.
2 Aug 2023
News
Carmichael welcomes return of Tall Ships Races to Shetland
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the return of the Tall Ships festival, starting today [26th July], to Lerwick for the first time since 2011.
26 Jul 2023
Carmichael backs NFUS concerns on fertiliser market fairness
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed concerns from the National Farmers Union Scotland about fair prices for fertiliser, with plans to push for a debate on the matter when Parliament returns from recess.
25 Jul 2023
Carmichael presses ministers for update on Shared Rural Network rollout
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has pressed the government on progress in implementing the Shared Rural Network...
20 Jul 2023
Carmichael secures new call for evidence in concrete construction vehicle debate
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed a Department for Transport agreement to make a new call for evidence on changes to rules which risk harming local construction companies...
22 Jun 2023
Carmichael highlights tourism and climate impact on Northern Isles heritage sites
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in Parliament on the need to ensure the sustainable future of Northern Isles heritage sites.
21 Jun 2023
Carmichael presses Treasury for update on farm support budgets
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today pressed Treasury ministers to give an update on discussions over the future size of budgets for farm support payments.
20 Jun 2023
Carmichael to challenge transport ministers on “common sense” amendment to construction vehicle rules
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a parliamentary debate this Thursday (22nd June) on changes to Department for Transport rules which risk harming local construction companies.
19 Jun 2023
Carmichael highlights engineer access problems in home heating debate
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has highlighted islander frustrations in securing engineers for boiler and meter installations in a debate on heating rural homes this week.
14 Jun 2023
News from Orkney and Shetlands MSPs
Orcadian Column, 5 October 2023
Happy retirement to MV Golden Mariana, which completed her final journey between Papay and Westray at the end of last week. Built in Devon in 1973, at 50 years old the Mariana was the oldest vessel in the Orkney Ferries fleet.
4 Oct 2023
McArthur raises Screen Machine funding in parliament
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed an undertaking from the Culture Secretary, Angus Robertson to meet the operators of the Screen Machine to discuss how its future may be safeguarded.
28 Sep 2023
McArthur calls for islander inclusion in just transition discussions
Liam McArthur, Orkney MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for climate, today said that islanders have felt “excluded” from discussions about the UK’s energy transition.
28 Sep 2023
Orcadian Column, 28 September 2023
The Prime Minister chose the eve of Climate Week to announce he was watering down his environmental commitments. With a general election due next year, Rishi Sunak has calculated that delaying targets will revive his party’s prospects at the polls.
28 Sep 2023
Orcadian Column, 21 September 2023
Two years ago, I launched a consultation on proposals for a bill to allow terminally ill adults with mental capacity in Scotland the choice of an assisted death.
21 Sep 2023
McArthur demands action to make island jury trials sustainable
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has called on the Scottish Government to commit to the necessary action to protect rural access to justice, as new Sheriffs Principal guidance extends the use of ‘virtual custody’ courts.
20 Sep 2023
Shetland
Wishart presses for date for Scottish Government and SIC to meet to discuss tunnels
Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart has, in a Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands question session, called for a date for the Scottish Government to meet with Shetland Islands Council to discuss short subsea tunnels.
14 Sep 2023
General News and Press Releases
McArthur praises the establishment of Scottish “Bairns’ Hoose”
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur today praised those who have worked towards the establishment of Scotland’s first “Bairns’ Hoose” for young victims and witnesses of crimes, and called for work to be done to bring the principles behind it to island settings.
13 Sep 2023
McArthur joins campaign to save Screen Machine
Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has joined the campaign to save the beloved Screen Machine, a mobile cinema that has proved hugely popular during visits to Orkney and around the Highlands & Islands over the past 25 years.
12 Sep 2023