On This Day

15 July 1965

Happy birthday to Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland since 2001

Carmichael succeeded Jim Wallace as the Islands’ third Liberal MP since 1950. In the House of Commons Carmichael has had two stints as Spokesman on Scotland and Northern Ireland, the gap caused by his resignation to vote in favour of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. With the formation of the coalition government Carmichael was appointed Liberal Democrat Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip for the government, rejoicing in the title of Comptroller of the Household. In October 2013 he joined the coalition cabinet, succeeding Michael Moore as Secretary of State for Scotland and serving until the end of the coalition. Back in opposition after the 2015 general election, Carmichael shadowed the Home Office and in June 2017 returned to his old post of Chief Whip. In February 2018 he succeeded Tim Farron as Environment Spokesperson. In August 2020, following the election of Sir Ed Davey, Carmichael returned to shadow the Home Office.