Alistair Carmichael MP
@amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland. Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
Promoted by A. Carmichael of 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR.
Promoted by A. Carmichael of 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR.
It really ought to go without saying, but if Morgan McSweeney leaving government would bring down Starmer as Prime Minister, Starmer should never have been PM in the first place.
“Getting rid of Morgan is our only way back..." why many Labour MPs now think McSweeney's exit is the only way to save Starmer's leadership and why some think it will just bring the Prime Minister down too
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/05/p...
bylinetimes.com/2026/02/05/p...
Peter Mandelson's Downfall Puts Morgan McSweeney's Future in Doubt
Keir Starmer insists he is sticking by his chief adviser in the wake of the Mandelson scandal, but others have their doubts, reports Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:44 AM
It really ought to go without saying, but if Morgan McSweeney leaving government would bring down Starmer as Prime Minister, Starmer should never have been PM in the first place.
As good a time as any to repost my article from September on the *Very Clever* people in the government. For a group of people who think that they are smarter than everyone else Morgan McSweeney and co have a lengthy track record of fouling things up.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Why the 'very clever' people in Starmer's inner circle are on a collision course with Labour MPs
Labour MPs treated with contempt by Keir Starmer’s inner circle appear to be about to snap, if the mutterings in parliament are anything to go by
www.scotsman.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM
As good a time as any to repost my article from September on the *Very Clever* people in the government. For a group of people who think that they are smarter than everyone else Morgan McSweeney and co have a lengthy track record of fouling things up.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Anyone with experience of our party will know that these two groups might well have some crossover.
To clarify this is Lib Dems who support the death penalty, not people who want to hang Lib Dems.
February 3, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Anyone with experience of our party will know that these two groups might well have some crossover.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
Jim Wallace was one of the architects of modern Scotland and one of the finest liberals our party has ever produced.
He believed deeply in devolution as a way to give people better services and more control over their lives and he lived a life of public service.
youtu.be/3m6tl2yKPDk
He believed deeply in devolution as a way to give people better services and more control over their lives and he lived a life of public service.
youtu.be/3m6tl2yKPDk
Alex Cole-Hamilton speaks in the Motion of Condolence for Jim Wallace
YouTube video by Scottish Liberal Democrats
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Jim Wallace was one of the architects of modern Scotland and one of the finest liberals our party has ever produced.
He believed deeply in devolution as a way to give people better services and more control over their lives and he lived a life of public service.
youtu.be/3m6tl2yKPDk
He believed deeply in devolution as a way to give people better services and more control over their lives and he lived a life of public service.
youtu.be/3m6tl2yKPDk
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
A lovely tribute to Jim Wallace from @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social. Alistair mentions his experience in government benefitting his colleagues in the 2010 coalition.
Jim was also generous in his time talking to the first incoming devolved Justice Minister in NI.
Jim was also generous in his time talking to the first incoming devolved Justice Minister in NI.
"Law, politics, the kirk. Jim Wallace’s role in any one of those would be considered exceptional. That he did it in all three marks him out as something truly special"
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness: 'A man of profound faith and exceptional talent'
Advocate, MP, deputy first minister of the Scottish Parliament and later a peer, Jim Wallace has left an enduring legacy
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 2:06 PM
A lovely tribute to Jim Wallace from @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social. Alistair mentions his experience in government benefitting his colleagues in the 2010 coalition.
Jim was also generous in his time talking to the first incoming devolved Justice Minister in NI.
Jim was also generous in his time talking to the first incoming devolved Justice Minister in NI.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
"Law, politics, the kirk. Jim Wallace’s role in any one of those would be considered exceptional. That he did it in all three marks him out as something truly special"
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness: 'A man of profound faith and exceptional talent'
Advocate, MP, deputy first minister of the Scottish Parliament and later a peer, Jim Wallace has left an enduring legacy
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 1:18 PM
"Law, politics, the kirk. Jim Wallace’s role in any one of those would be considered exceptional. That he did it in all three marks him out as something truly special"
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
🕊️ Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness – by @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
bit.ly/4tgqQ8P
The House Magazine requested that I write a tribute to Jim Wallace this week - you can read it here.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Tribute to Lord Wallace of Tankerness: 'A man of profound faith and exceptional talent'
Advocate, MP, deputy first minister of the Scottish Parliament and later a peer, Jim Wallace has left an enduring legacy
www.politicshome.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:29 PM
The House Magazine requested that I write a tribute to Jim Wallace this week - you can read it here.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
My tribute to Jim Wallace in the House of Commons today.
February 2, 2026 at 3:31 PM
My tribute to Jim Wallace in the House of Commons today.
Jim Wallace gave his adult life to serving the people of the Northern Isles, Scotland and the United Kingdom. His sudden and tragic death leaves a huge gap in public life. For those of us who knew him that gap is one that we shall struggle ever to fill.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland's first deputy first minister Lord Jim Wallace dies, aged 71
The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader was undergoing a procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Jim Wallace gave his adult life to serving the people of the Northern Isles, Scotland and the United Kingdom. His sudden and tragic death leaves a huge gap in public life. For those of us who knew him that gap is one that we shall struggle ever to fill.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
No matter where you are in Scotland, you can elect a Liberal Democrat MSP on the peach-coloured regional ballot in just 100 days time.
Every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on that ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.
Every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on that ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.
January 27, 2026 at 11:25 AM
No matter where you are in Scotland, you can elect a Liberal Democrat MSP on the peach-coloured regional ballot in just 100 days time.
Every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on that ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.
Every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on that ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.
If there was ever any likelihood of the SNP giving a more accurate prospectus for independence, warts and all, I suspect that died once they saw the (short term) success of the deny-all-tradeoffs Brexit campaign of 2016.
The SNP's failure to a) modernise the case for independence, and b) coherently argue for it, remains the most self-defeating failure of their time in office since 2014
If you still can't answer Qs on pensions/currency in a way that people can see the trade-offs, you're just not trying hard enough
If you still can't answer Qs on pensions/currency in a way that people can see the trade-offs, you're just not trying hard enough
January 20, 2026 at 3:58 PM
If there was ever any likelihood of the SNP giving a more accurate prospectus for independence, warts and all, I suspect that died once they saw the (short term) success of the deny-all-tradeoffs Brexit campaign of 2016.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
There is a genuine appetite for challenge to our current governments – but one based on ideas rather than incessant internal drama.
Many former Conservative voters will be looking at this latest eruption and see it as the last straw.
Other, more moderate parties are available.
Many former Conservative voters will be looking at this latest eruption and see it as the last straw.
Other, more moderate parties are available.
January 19, 2026 at 4:20 PM
There is a genuine appetite for challenge to our current governments – but one based on ideas rather than incessant internal drama.
Many former Conservative voters will be looking at this latest eruption and see it as the last straw.
Other, more moderate parties are available.
Many former Conservative voters will be looking at this latest eruption and see it as the last straw.
Other, more moderate parties are available.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
I was delighted to participate in the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s Q&A sessions at the Oxford Real Farming Conference. We've led on vital work over the last year, pushing for the Government to make concessions on IHT hikes for farmers and demanding clarity on SFI payments.
January 16, 2026 at 4:28 PM
I was delighted to participate in the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s Q&A sessions at the Oxford Real Farming Conference. We've led on vital work over the last year, pushing for the Government to make concessions on IHT hikes for farmers and demanding clarity on SFI payments.
Writing in the Scotsman on the cloak-and-custard-pie mess of Robert Jenrick's expulsion and defection to Reform.
Months ago I described the Tories as a “clown car”. I now fear that this comparison was unfair to the noble profession of grease-painted artistes.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Months ago I described the Tories as a “clown car”. I now fear that this comparison was unfair to the noble profession of grease-painted artistes.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
How Robert Jenrick's former Tory colleagues revealed their true colours after his sacking
After Kemi Badenoch’s decision to expel Robert Jenrick, she may be disappointed to hear that this Tory psychodrama is set to run and run
www.scotsman.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Writing in the Scotsman on the cloak-and-custard-pie mess of Robert Jenrick's expulsion and defection to Reform.
Months ago I described the Tories as a “clown car”. I now fear that this comparison was unfair to the noble profession of grease-painted artistes.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Months ago I described the Tories as a “clown car”. I now fear that this comparison was unfair to the noble profession of grease-painted artistes.
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
It would take a heart of stone not to laugh.
BREAKING Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership.
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
January 15, 2026 at 11:24 AM
It would take a heart of stone not to laugh.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
Scottish Liberal Democrats are in the business of getting stuff done.
That is what the public deserve from politics.
All of these steps forward are in the budget because we put pressure on the Scottish Government to include them.
That is what the public deserve from politics.
All of these steps forward are in the budget because we put pressure on the Scottish Government to include them.
January 13, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Scottish Liberal Democrats are in the business of getting stuff done.
That is what the public deserve from politics.
All of these steps forward are in the budget because we put pressure on the Scottish Government to include them.
That is what the public deserve from politics.
All of these steps forward are in the budget because we put pressure on the Scottish Government to include them.
This U-turn proves beyond all doubt that Labour announced their digital ID card scheme without a clue on how they would go about implementing it. Now is surely the moment for ministers to drop the proposals entirely and use the funds for something more useful.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government drops plans for mandatory digital ID to work in UK
There will still be digital checks on those starting a new job, but people will not need to hold a digital ID.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 11:03 AM
This U-turn proves beyond all doubt that Labour announced their digital ID card scheme without a clue on how they would go about implementing it. Now is surely the moment for ministers to drop the proposals entirely and use the funds for something more useful.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The benefit of old Twitter and now Bluesky is not to talk to local people but to have useful conversations, learn from others and to test out ideas. Bluesky is good for that, X no longer is for the most part (quite apart from the specific recent problems...).
Minister of State Alex Norris tells the BBC he won't personally come off X because it's important for communicating with voters.
None of his tweets for the last month has more than 1000 views.
None of his tweets for the last month has more than 1000 views.
January 13, 2026 at 11:34 AM
The benefit of old Twitter and now Bluesky is not to talk to local people but to have useful conversations, learn from others and to test out ideas. Bluesky is good for that, X no longer is for the most part (quite apart from the specific recent problems...).
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
Alistair Carmichael urges government to publish full impact assessment on farm inheritance tax changes.
Carmichael urges government to publish farm inheritance tax impact assessment
www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Alistair Carmichael urges government to publish full impact assessment on farm inheritance tax changes.
A rare occasion where I will give a pass on someone putting ice in their whisky!
Glenmorangie, port finish. Ice from a berg. Simpler times.
January 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM
A rare occasion where I will give a pass on someone putting ice in their whisky!
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
The SNP have a tired, toxic and, ultimately, broken relationship with the north of Scotland.
We are on the cusp of changing that: everyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross can vote for a strong local champion next May by backing David Green and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
We are on the cusp of changing that: everyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross can vote for a strong local champion next May by backing David Green and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
January 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
The SNP have a tired, toxic and, ultimately, broken relationship with the north of Scotland.
We are on the cusp of changing that: everyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross can vote for a strong local champion next May by backing David Green and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
We are on the cusp of changing that: everyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross can vote for a strong local champion next May by backing David Green and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
So what I'm hearing is that attending @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social whisky tasting at conference is not only a great night out but also our patriotic duty?
Scottish whisky market slides into supply glut amid falling sales and US tariffs
Global sales fall by 3% in third consecutive year of decline as distilleries scale back production or expand storage
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
So what I'm hearing is that attending @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social whisky tasting at conference is not only a great night out but also our patriotic duty?
This is a major concession from the Government and should be welcomed as such. After a tough year, farmers and their supporters finally have a reason to give cheers this Christmas.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Inheritance tax reliefs threshold to rise to £2.5m for farmers and businesses
£1m Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold increased to £2.5m from April 2026 – allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5m in qualifying agricultural or business assets betw...
www.gov.uk
December 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This is a major concession from the Government and should be welcomed as such. After a tough year, farmers and their supporters finally have a reason to give cheers this Christmas.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Alistair Carmichael MP
2/2
🤝This change is down to the work of many campaigners especially my colleagues @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social and @timfarron.bsky.social. I'm pleased to have also played my part in supporting our local farmers here in #NorthEastHampshire and will continue to do so.
🤝This change is down to the work of many campaigners especially my colleagues @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social and @timfarron.bsky.social. I'm pleased to have also played my part in supporting our local farmers here in #NorthEastHampshire and will continue to do so.
December 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
2/2
🤝This change is down to the work of many campaigners especially my colleagues @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social and @timfarron.bsky.social. I'm pleased to have also played my part in supporting our local farmers here in #NorthEastHampshire and will continue to do so.
🤝This change is down to the work of many campaigners especially my colleagues @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social and @timfarron.bsky.social. I'm pleased to have also played my part in supporting our local farmers here in #NorthEastHampshire and will continue to do so.