Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency) 2007 - 2011
Email: [email protected]
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
Member
Member
Member
Member
Co-Convener
Member
Member
Member
Convener
Scottish Parliament
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
06 October 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021
Substitute 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
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Member
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Substitute 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
21 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Substitute Member
13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
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.
Here is the register for Liam McArthur. The date of their initial statement was 20 May 2021.
No registrable interests
I have been receiving the support of an additional staff member to support the development of my Member’s Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults. The post is funded by three permissible donors: Friends at the End (a Scottish registered charity working to promote end of life choices, of 4 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE); Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT); Humanist Society Scotland (a Scottish registered charity that promotes humanist views and campaigns for assisted dying, of Suite 25, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT). From January 2022 to June 2022 the support was provided 4 days per week. Since June 2022 the additional support provided was one day per week. It is expected that support will continue at one day per week until June 2025. The total value of this support over this period (January 2022 – June 2025) will amount to £54,054 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £18,018, Dignity in Dying - £18,018 Humanist Society Scotland - £18,018. [Registered 3 May 2022, Amended interest 14 October 2022, Amended interest 24 October 2022, Amended interest 26 September 2023, Amended interest 6 September 2024, Amended interest 14 January 2025]
Since September 2021, I have received support in publishing materials relating to my proposed Member’s Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults, in the form of a website maintained by the permissible donor, Humanist Society Scotland (a Scottish registered charity that promotes humanist views and campaigns for assisted dying, of Suite 25, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT). Humanist Society Scotland have developed and continue to maintain this website, www.assisteddying.scot, as well as covering the cost of the domain and website hosting. It was set up to host information relating to the public consultation on my proposals, in line with rules governing Member’s Bills, including: my proposal consultation document; accessible versions of the consultation; the Non-Governmental Bills Unit’s Summary Report on the consultation, and; responses to the public consultation by any individuals or organisations who provided permission for these to be published. It also hosts a report produced by the Medical Advisory Group I established to inform the practical implementation of legal assisted as proposed in my Member’s Bill. The cost of the website is £572.56 per annum. Up to September 2023 the total costs for the website are: £1,145.12. The website will remain live for the remainder of this Session of the Parliament to a total cumulative cost of £2,671.95. [Registered 26 September 2023]
From 27 to 28 October 2011 I participated in a trip to the Elgin-Franklin oil and gas installation to learn more about the industry and how it operates. Total E&P UK (an oil and gas exploration and production company of Crawpeel Road, Altens, Aberdeen, AB12 3FG) met the costs of this visit which were approximately £1,750. This included coach and helicopter transport, accommodation and safety clothing.
From 7 to 11 October 2014 I was part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs who visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the invitation of the Director General, Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh Office) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China Department (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). The delegation held meetings with a number of Government departments, trade and cultural organisations including; President MA Ying-Jeou and Madame Ma, Scottish Development International (Taiwan Office), Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taipei City Council, Straits Exchange Foundation, British Trade and Cultural Office, Hsinchu Science Park, Green Energy and Environment Research Lab, King Car Whisky Distillery and the National Centre for Traditional Arts. The cost of the visit was; air ticket £2,780, accommodation £528, bus £133, high speed rail £12, food £163, tickets for 101, opera and hot spring £59. The total cost was £3,675 met in its entirety by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). I also received gifts, which included a vase, a tie and tie pin, a glass ornament and a book. The value of the items are below the threshold for registration in the gifts category.
From 9 February to 13 February 2024 I visited California, USA, as part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs, meeting health professionals, family members of individuals who had used the state’s End of Life Options Act, Senators and representatives of organisations who provide information about the provisions of the Act. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation and meals amounted to £2,694 and were paid by the permissible donor Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT). [Registered 7 March 2024]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
In August 2010 I became an honorary patron of the British Veterinary Association. My role involves raising awareness of the BVA’s role and receiving information on activities and attitudes of the BVA, including access to the members only section of the BVA website. This role is unremunerated. I estimate that the value of gaining access to the website is below the threshold for registration in the gifts category. On 12 August 2021 I became a lifetime member. [Amended interest 27 August 2021]
I am the former Chair of the Orkney Japan Association. [Amended interest 11 September 2024]
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: 22 May 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17330, in the name of Kevin Stewart, on Aberdeen welcoming the tall ships races. The debate will be concluded without any question being put…
Chamber meeting date: 22 May 2025
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "As the cabinet secretary has alluded to, in the recent budget—and thanks to the Scottish Liberal Democrats—additional funding was put in place to support the pathway towards procurement of new ferries…
Chamber meeting date: 22 May 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on the committee effectiveness inquiry. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons…
Chamber meeting date: 21 May 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business…
Chamber meeting date: 21 May 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17598, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on empowering Scotland’s island communities…
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 19, 2025
Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 63 for, 40 against, 7 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Supported by: Tim Eagle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 31 for, 78 against, 0 abstained, 19 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Result 46 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Result 28 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Result 48 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
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: 7 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with the education sector in island communities, such as Orkney, which are reportedly seeing increasing pressures around funding and staff retention, particularly in relation to the provision of additional support for learning."
Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 30 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce a cruise ship levy, including the option for local authorities to apply a "point of entry" levy."
Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to provide continuity of funding through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund."
Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 6 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4 million of investment for the hospice sector, outlined in its Budget for 2025-26, will be used to bring hospice staff under the Agenda for Change terms and conditions, and what the proposed timeline is for fulfilling this commitment."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 6 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of proposed employer national insurance charge increases on GP practices in Scotland, including whether there is an option for applying exemption thresholds."
Answered by Neil Gray on 17 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 6 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35124 by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025, whether any of the liquidated damages provisions contained in the contract for HMP Barlinnie have been triggered, and if so, how much was paid."
Answered by Angela Constance on 17 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is adequate access to support in schools for children with additional support needs in island areas, including the Orkney constituency."
Taken in the Chamber on 20 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 6 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to renegotiate the current GP contract."
Answered by Neil Gray on 12 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 2011 were any costs of HMP Highland communicated to the Scottish Government, and what the estimated costs were on each date."
Answered by Angela Constance on 11 March 2025
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 February 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government which contractors bid to build HMP Highland."
Answered by Angela Constance on 11 March 2025
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament