@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.
Also the reality that (contrary to fans of "strong" national identity as a way of doing politics), for most people their national identity within the UK does not determine their politics. They may identify with a certain national label but it doesn't determine their views on (say) transport policy.
I think we are in agreement!
Or indeed both, and more besides. Defining identities as "progressive" or "regressive" misses the point that we are better off wearing these things lightly. If there is a lesson in Scottish politics for the last decade and a half, it is surely that...
We have a looming animal welfare crisis in our sheep flocks due to a lack of access to shearers, caused by the Home Office. When I raised these issues with DEFRA senior civil servants last week it was clear that they were not aware of the issue, let alone on top of it - they must get a grip of it.
A rapid increase in the cost of heating oil and red diesel would mean a “double whammy” of harm to the rural economy, and to island communities in particular. The government must set out its response as soon as possible - which is why I have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer this afternoon.
"Every bomb that is dropped on Iran – and dropped by Iran on its neighbours – will create ripples that spread far and wide.
The Prime Minister – and those who would cheerlead us into another war in the Middle East – would be wise to reflect upon that legacy."
@amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social
119 UK Parliamentarians call for further sanctions on Israel and a total ban on all trade and interaction with illegal Israeli settlements in letter to @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social following yet further illegal Israeli government measures in the occupied State of Palestine. caabu.org/news/news/11...
🐑 That means around 1.5million sheep currently going unsheared, including plenty in North Shropshire.
🌍️ International shearers are essential to help manage the UK sheep flock. To avoid an animal welfare crisis, we need a plan, rapidly.
✅️ When I questioned the Home Office recently, officials said they expected DEFRA to have a plan for shearing in place by now.
🤷♀️ DEFRA was questioned yesterday - it seems like there is no plan.
Willie is absolutely right: Island crofters and farmers were supposed to be targeted as beneficiaries of FFIS, but Shetland businesses were awarded less than 1.9% of the first round funds, and the Western Isles a miserly 0.2%. The SNP will not improve until they admit what went wrong the first time.
Funding for a second round of the Future Farming Investment Scheme is welcome, but the SNP government needs to learn from the mistakes it made in the first round.
MPs warn rising ‘drive‑by’ meat imports are bypassing UK border checks, raising risks of animal disease and exposing major flaws in current…
If there is a lesson from the war on Iraq, it is surely that wars of choice without a clear objective or endpoint have consequences that linger with us far beyond the initial moment of intervention. The PM – and those who would cheerlead us into war today – would be wise to reflect upon that legacy.
Few of us are going to mourn the loss of leaders of the Iranian regime, which led a murderous crackdown on protestors just weeks ago. Even so it is hard to look at the growing conflict throughout the Middle East today and see the attacks by the US and Israel as a long-term solution.
The Prime Minister was wrong, I believe, to get caught up in the distinction between defence and offence in his answer. The purpose of a parliamentary vote on the use of military force is to maintain national unity and legitimacy. That is a political aim, not a legal one.
Questioning the Prime Minister this afternoon on US-Israeli attacks on Iran - and calling for him to ensure that there will be a vote in the House of Commons on any prospective offensive operations by British forces.
Alistair Carmichael urges a 24‑month SPS transition amid warnings of major losses for UK farmers as negotiations with the EU intensify.
Alistair Carmichael says a proposed EU SPS agreement could offer new opportunities but also significant challenges for UK farmers.
After a run of energy price cap hikes this cut to bills will be some welcome relief. That the price cut is focused on electricity bills is significant and will be a boost to islanders and others who are off the gas grid.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We will always stand strong with Ukraine. 🇺🇦🇬🇧
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...
Anyone with experience of our party will know that these two groups might well have some crossover.
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
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.
"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
The House Magazine requested that I write a tribute to Jim Wallace this week - you can read it here.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
My tribute to Jim Wallace in the House of Commons today.
My thoughts are with his wife Rosie, his daughters Helen and Clare, his mother and his brother Neil who I know are heartbroken at this moment. I hope that they may eventually take some comfort from the knowledge that the man that they loved in their family was loved by so many others too.
