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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
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Liam McArthur

Scottish Liberal Democrats

MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency)

About Liam McArthur

Contact details

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 01856 876541
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

14 Palace Road
Kirkwall
Orkney Islands
KW15 1PA

Phone: 01856 876541
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Career as MSP

Career as MSP

Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency)
05 May 2011 to present

Scottish Liberal Democrats
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency)
03 May 2007 to 22 Mar 2011

Committees

Liam McArthur is a member of 1 committee

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Member

Cross-party groups

Liam McArthur is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Liam McArthur has 1 parliamentary and government role

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Appointed Member

Party Roles

Liam McArthur has 1 party role

Spokesperson for Economy, Finance & Tourism

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Previous roles

Liam McArthur has had the following roles in Parliament

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

14 May 2021 to 14 May 2026

Deputy Presiding Officer

Scottish Parliament

06 May 2021 to 08 April 2026

Party Spokesperson on Justice

Scottish Liberal Democrats

27 August 2021 to 08 April 2026

Party Spokesperson on the Climate Emergency

Scottish Liberal Democrats

01 February 2023 to 08 April 2026

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

29 September 2021 to 08 April 2026

Conveners Group

Convener

06 October 2021 to 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Substitute Member

18 November 2020 to 14 September 2021

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive

Member

06 May 2021 to 27 August 2021

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Liberal Democrats

22 June 2021 to 26 August 2021

Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Deputy Convener

17 June 2021 to 22 June 2021

Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Member

19 May 2016 to 20 May 2021

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Appointed Member

29 May 2016 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Justice

Scottish Liberal Democrats

29 May 2016 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Liberal Democrats

06 October 2016 to 04 May 2021

Justice Sub-Committee on Policing

Member

08 November 2016 to 04 May 2021

Education and Skills Committee

Substitute Member

08 June 2016 to 04 May 2021

Justice Committee

Member

29 August 2017 to 04 May 2021

Presiding Officer's Advisory Group

Member

25 May 2011 to 19 May 2016

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Appointed Member

20 May 2011 to 23 March 2016

Party Spokesperson on Education and Young People

Scottish Liberal Democrats

20 May 2011 to 23 March 2016

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Liberal Democrats

01 June 2011 to 23 March 2016

Education and Culture Committee

Member

23 June 2011 to 23 March 2016

Public Audit Committee

Substitute Member

01 September 2008 to 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Liberal Democrats

01 September 2008 to 22 March 2011

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Liberal Democrats

03 September 2008 to 22 March 2011

Finance Committee

Substitute Member

03 September 2008 to 22 March 2011

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee

Member

21 June 2007 to 02 September 2008

Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee

Substitute Member

13 June 2007 to 02 September 2008

Finance Committee

Member

24 May 2007 to 01 September 2008

Party Spokesperson on Enterprise

Scottish Liberal Democrats

24 May 2007 to 01 September 2008

Party Spokesperson on Tourism

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Register of interests

Liam McArthur's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Recent Activity

Official Report

What Liam McArthur has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Electrical Infrastructure (Orkney)

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2026

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the installation of electrical infrastructure in Orkney. (S7O-00043)"

Prison Population

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2026

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…

Prison Population

Chamber meeting date: 10 June 2026

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…

Growing Scotland’s Economy

Chamber meeting date: 9 June 2026

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I join others in welcoming the cabinet secretary to his post and I commend him on his first speech. Daniel Johnson talked about a hopeful start…

Illegal Immigration

Chamber meeting date: 2 June 2026

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…

Votes

How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament

Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.

Scottish Rate Resolution

Motion reference: S6M-20844

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 19, 2026

Result 93 for, 29 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Business Programme

Motion reference: S6M-20826.1

Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Approval of SSI

Motion reference: S6M-20827

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 112 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP not voted

Agreed

A Just Transition Fund for Mossmorran

Motion reference: S6M-20820.2

Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 93 for, 28 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports

Motion reference: S6M-20819.3

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 89 for, 7 against, 27 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Motions made by Liam McArthur in Parliament

Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.

Questions

Questions Liam McArthur has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S7W-04017

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the withdrawal of the Communities Housing Trust on the provision of preventative health and care support through community-led housing."

Question reference: S7W-04016

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to maintaining the support for community-led housing currently provided by the Communities Housing Trust."

Question reference: S7W-04014

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role of investment in community-led housing as a preventative measure to reduce future demand on health and social care services."

Question reference: S7W-04015

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the withdrawal of the Communities Housing Trust on the delivery of community-led housing projects currently being developed in Scotland, particularly in rural and island areas."

Question reference: S7W-03639

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 24 September 2026

Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 1 October 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the award of the Project Gigabit roll-out contract for Orkney and Shetland."

Question reference: S7W-03330

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 16 September 2026

Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 30 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a national advisory council on men and boys to promote positive masculinity and improve men’s health outcomes."

Question reference: S7W-03329

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 16 September 2026

Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, what steps it is taking to reduce premature mortality in men."

Question reference: S7W-03331

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 16 September 2026

Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, whether it will commit to a men’s health action plan."

Question reference: S7W-03714

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 28 September 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 26 October 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Long Term Conditions Framework was not referenced in the Programme for Government and whether it remains on track to be published by March 2027."

Question reference: S7W-03715

Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 28 September 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 26 October 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential role of Community Health and Care Hubs, as proposed in the Programme for Government, in improving community-based management of long-term conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and what investment will be made in community-based allied health…