Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency) 2007 - 2011
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
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
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.
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: 30 October 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19202, in the name of Craig Hoy, on regretting bank closures. The debate will be concluded without any question being put…
Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19454, in the name of Gillian Martin, on a legislative consent motion on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. 16:22"
Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Will the member take an intervention?"
Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "I advise members that we have a bit of time in hand and that time taken by any interventions will be given back. I call Emma Harper to speak for a generous six minutes. 15:23"
Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-18730, on a financial resolution for the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. I invite Gillian Martin to move the motion…
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 30, 2025
Result 70 for, 31 against, 11 abstained, 17 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Result 21 for, 91 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Result 43 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Result 85 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Result 24 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
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: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:29 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 12 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what specific criteria SEPA will use when reviewing information provided by operators in the BMW Ban – Notification Form, to determine that producers, waste managers and landfill operators will not be breaching any conditions in permits or duty of care requirements when accepting landfill of biodegradable…
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:29 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 12 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that SEPA's temporary regulatory position on the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste is not extended beyond 31 December 2027."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether contracts for existing or planned incineration sites include minimum waste throughput guarantees, and what assessment it has made of any impact of such provisions on recycling and waste reduction targets."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out long-term emissions projections for incineration sites, and if so, whether it will publish these."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent correspondence or meetings it has had with representatives of incineration facilities in Scotland."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress made to introduce a statutory cap on incineration capacity."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on which incineration facilities have reported increases in emissions of toxic pollutants such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, chlorine or dioxins since 2019, and what action has been taken in response."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the burning of recyclable materials at incineration sites."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public health impacts of emissions from waste incinerators, particularly in communities located near such facilities."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged:27 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported increase in carbon dioxide emissions from waste incineration since 2019, and how this aligns with Scotland’s statutory emissions reduction targets."
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament