Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today challenged the Chancellor on claims that the Government’s new trading relationship with the EU would be better for businesses, citing isles seafood exporters who have already lost significant sums due to trade disruption and red tape caused by new trade barriers.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called on the Government to give “answers and action” on the emerging frustrations fishermen have with the Prime Minister’s deal with the EU. After months of promising to “take back control of our waters”, the deal has in fact left UK fishing boats with access to fewer fishing opportunities for the UK fleet. Mr Carmichael called on ministers to explain themselves urgently in Parliament, and to outline steps taken to mitigate growing disruption to seafood exports to the EU this week.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has reacted to the pro-Trump riots in Washington D.C. against the certification of the US presidential election, saying it was a reminder of the risks of eroding liberal democratic values. Mr Carmichael called on the Prime Minister to support calls for a peaceful transition of power in the United States.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called for “fresh thinking” to support the three million workers left out of Covid-19 financial support to date. Speaking after fresh lockdowns were brought into place in Scotland and England, Mr Carmichael said that this should be an opportunity for support measures to be brought in for those who have been unable to access furlough, self-employment or other financial help introduced by the Government over the past year.

Scottish Liberal Democrat representatives, Alistair Carmichael MP, Jamie Stone MP, Beatrice Wishart MSP and Liam McArthur MSP have together written to the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps calling for special support measures for food producers in light of recent export restrictions.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today joined cross party calls for the Government to seek a short extension of the EU transition period in light of a growing crisis caused by the new variant of coronavirus. Several EU and non-European countries have banned travel and transport from the UK following the Government’s new measures against the new variant.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Political Reform, Alistair Carmichael MP, has criticised government claims that the recently passed Parliamentary Constituencies Act amounted to “equal weight” for all votes cast. Minister of State for the Constitution, Chloe Smith claimed that “every voter deserves to have confidence that their vote counts the same…this Act delivers exactly that”, by adjusting constituency boundaries to be more accurate to population. Highlighting the disproportionate nature of the First Past The Post voting system used in UK elections, Mr Carmichael called for “real reform”.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has questioned the Government’s role in privacy and security on apps like WhatsApp, during a debate on online safety in Parliament this week. The ministerial statement came in advance of the Online Safety Bill, due to be published in 2021, which aims to enforce tougher regulation on harmful content online.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will expand the Warm Home Discount to an additional 750,000 households through 2025/26. The programme provides £140 off electricity bills for low income and vulnerable households each winter and has seen funding expanded from £350m to £475m per annum. The White Paper also outlines a range of proposals including expanding capacity for offshore and marine renewables.

Isles representatives Beatrice Wishart MSP and Alistair Carmichael MP have secured a commitment that Ofgem will look into poor practices from energy providers.