Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency) 2007 - 2011
Website: liammcarthur.org.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @Liam4Orkney
Facebook: Liam's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5815
Text relay calls welcome.
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.
Substitute Member
Member
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Member
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Co-Convener
Member
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Convener
Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 October 2021 - 01 February 2023
Substitute Member
18 November 2020 - 14 September 2021
Member
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
22 June 2021 - 26 August 2021
Deputy Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Member
19 May 2016 - 20 May 2021
Appointed Member
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021
Substitute Member
06 October 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
29 August 2017 - 04 May 2021
Member
25 May 2011 - 19 May 2016
Appointed Member
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Substitute Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Member
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Substitute Member
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Member
13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Member
21 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Substitute Member
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Scottish Liberal Democrats
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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.
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.
Chamber meeting date: 20 February 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio question time, and the portfolio on this occasion is social justice. I invite members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak buttons."
Chamber meeting date: 20 February 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "There are a couple of brief supplementary questions."
Chamber meeting date: 20 February 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "A number of members want to ask supplementary questions on this matter and others, but I will get to them only if answers are a bit briefer."
Chamber meeting date: 20 February 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "There have been requests for a couple of supplementary questions—both will need to be brief."
Chamber meeting date: 20 February 2025
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I, too, welcome the debate and the independent sentencing review. I know that it is dangerous to prejudge such things, but I confidently expect such a review to confirm the blunt reality that our justice system is too reliant on prison…
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Submitted by: Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 84 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 16 for, 97 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 70 for, 42 against, 1 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 28 for, 69 against, 14 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 86 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the delay to the replacement of HMP Barlinnie on (a) prison overcrowding and (b) early release policies."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how many assaults on (a) staff and (b) prisoners have been recorded at HMP Barlinnie in each of the last five years."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government which contractors bid to build HMP Glasgow."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been given early release from HMP Barlinnie in each of the last five years."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 2014 it has received an updated timescale for the completion of HMP Glasgow, and what the revised date given was at each update."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners will be released early from HMP Barlinie due to overcrowding while the replacement prison for it remains incomplete."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding contingency plans for managing HMP Barlinnie while its replacement is delayed."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what alternative measures it is considering implementing to address prison overcrowding while the replacement for HMP Barlinnie is delayed."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support resources it will provide to prison officers working in overcrowded conditions at HMP Barlinnie until the replacement prison is completed."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full breakdown of the costs associated with the replacement for HMP Barlinnie, including any penalties for delays."
Answer expected on 7 March 2025
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament